By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
ANTI-sky rail residents in Douglas Street, Noble Park, don’t know if the State Government’s voluntary purchase scheme will apply to their properties.
The 50 members of the newly-formed Mile Creek Residents Group recently signed petitions for the sky rail route to be diverted further from their houses.
Leader Eric D’Cruz says he has not received an offer from the Level Crossing Removal Authority for the purchase of his property.
“It depends on whether they divert the line. If things don’t look good, we might take up the offer.”
However, it’s unclear if Mr D’Cruz and his neighbours are eligible for the voluntary purchase scheme.
The scheme applies to residential properties that back onto the rail corridor or will be significantly overshadowed by the rail bridge.
Mr D’Cruz’s property will be about 15 metres from the new proposed rail route but separated by Douglas Road.
The sky rail eliminates the Corrigan, Chandler and Heatherton road level crossings in Noble Park by elevating the tracks up to 10 metres high.
Under the purchase scheme, the government has also offered to pay for tree plantings and raised fence lines to reduce the sky rail’s visual impact.
It has also proposed paying for fence gates to allow residents to access the new community spaces under the bridges.
Legal, valuation and moving expenses, including stamp duty, will also be covered.
Mr D’Cruz said the planned route brought the tracks closer to homes between 83 Douglas Street and the Chandler Road level crossing.
Every household in that section had signed the group’s petition, he said.
In their petition, Mile Creek residents propose that the line be shifted north of Mile Creek into unoccupied reserve land.
“There’s no impediment to anybody. There is not one house over there,” Mr D’Cruz said.
He said there were access roads for construction equipment into the reserve from Mons Parade and Chandler Road, and only a “few” more native trees, including river red gums, on that side of the creek.
Chris Papapavlou, who lives metres from the Corrigan Road level crossing, said a Level Crossing Removal Authority consultant had indicated last week he may sell his property to the government.
The consultant was unable to tell an unimpressed Mr Papapavlou how much he would be paid.
“Buying your property isn’t compensation,” he said.
Mr Papapavlou was not placated by an offer of screening to stop rail commuters peering into his yard, or to instigate a “crime prevention program” for the new spaces under the bridges.
“I find a bridge there ugly. You can’t push that on people.
“If anyone can see into my yard, I told them I will press charges. I am not a zoo animal or exhibit.”
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the scheme was delivering what local residents wanted.
“We are respecting the views of those closest to this significant project, and giving them the opportunity to make the choice that is right for them.”
Opposition Planning spokesman David Davis said the “panicked and rushed” announcement showed the government had been lying about the project’s impact.
“Surely this compensation would be better spent instead in doing what residents actually want; for this ugly and intrusive sky rail proposal to be abandoned and instead remove level crossings by putting rail under road.”
Residents have until 30 June next year to apply for the scheme.
