By CASEY NEILL
ACTION on level crossings is high on Gabrielle Williams’ agenda – and not a moment too soon, residents say.
Labor’s pre-election plan would see five Greater Dandenong crossings removed – Abbotts Road in Dandenong South, Corrigan, Heatherton and Chandler roads in Noble Park and the South Gippsland Highway in Dandenong.
“They’re the five that I’ve got my eye on because they’re the most relevant to this particular area,” Ms Williams said.
“But really every one of those crossings down the Cranbourne-Pakenham line is going to be vital to making that line function better than it does presently.
“Obviously they’re a big project, and we’ve allowed two terms for the ones that we’ve designated.”
Noble Park resident Gaye Guest recently got stuck at the Chandler Park boom gates while five trains passed through, and allows an extra half hour of travel time to cross the line.
“Business is suffering because no one needs to or wants to be delayed for up to 20 minutes getting over the rail crossing,” she said.
“The community is cut in half now that we have more trains in service on our rail network.”
Ms Williams has already contacted ministers about commitments to rebuild Lyndale Secondary College and finish Dandenong High School’s upgrade, and she’ll be “waving the flag for Dandenong” for Premier Daniel Andrews’ promised Indian precinct.
“They’ve got to go through a process to evaluate where the best place to locate the precinct is, and to consult with the Indian community about that,” she said.
The Greater Dandenong business community has been strongly advocating for the State Government to build a new port at Hastings, to boost business in the region.
“What we’ve committed to is an examination of the options to see what’s best for Victoria overall,” Ms Williams said.
“I know the business community here had a preference for Hastings but there are some concerns about Hastings, too.”
She said Labor support for vocational training would help the region and that she was committed to promoting its multiculturalism for tourism.
“There are so many cultural festivals and precincts here now.
“It would be great if they could draw people from around the state,” she said.
