Victorian Liberals pledge to remove Diamond Creek level crossing
Liberal Party sources said they believed the pledge to remove a Diamond Creek level crossing could help them win back the seat of Eltham.
Victoria
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A major level crossing in Melbourne’s north-east would be removed under a new commitment by the state opposition.
Shadow transport infrastructure minister Matt Bach on Monday announced the level crossing at Main Hurstbridge Road in Diamond Creek would be added to a growing list of planned removals.
It is understood the commitment would cost about $250 million and could be funded by reprioritising planned level crossing removals.
Liberal Party sources said they believed the pledge could help them win back the seat of Eltham, which they held from 1992 to 2002.
It has been held by the ALP since 2002.
The seat is being contested by Jason McClintock who has injected $110,000 of his own money into his campaign, according to the Victorian Electoral Commission’s donations register.
“I’m proud to be a part of a team that is listening to the local community and is getting on with the job of removing this level crossing. Not only will this help with ever growing congestion issues, but will secure the path in the event of a bushfire, unlike the Andrews Labor Government,” Mr McClintock said.
The level crossing on Main Hurstbridge Rd has been dubbed the “Berlin Wall” by locals, and has caused traffic chaos for years.
Despite plans to build a new pedestrian crossing and upgrade the platform at Diamond Creek station while duplicating the Hurstbridge line, the state government has not announced plans to remove the crossing.
Mr Bach said the removal of the crossing was critical, not just for Diamond Creek residents, but for commuters along the whole Hurstbridge Line.
The Coalition has committed to removing high priority level crossings at High Street in Glen Iris, Tooronga Road in Malvern, and Glenferrie Road in Kooyong.
The Highett Road and Wickham Road crossings in Highett would also be removed.
It has also promised reforming the Level Crossing Removal Authority’s processes to ensure greater community input into projects.
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