By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
GREATER Dandenong Council officers have argued that a Springvale-style railway trench would destroy Noble Park’s village feel in a report on the state’s government sky rail project.
The report, to be tabled at a council meeting on 11 April, states the village feel could not be achieved with a ‘rail under road’ removal of Heatherton Road level crossing – which is the alternative to elevated rail.
The trench would impede the desired connection of Ian and Douglas streets, which are currently divided by rail tracks, the report stated.
An undecked trench would be a “very poor urban design and public amenity outcome” along Ross Reserve and Noble Park Aquatic Centre, it said.
The recent Springvale level crossing removal project had created a trench that “undeniably created a significant and probably permanent obstacle” to integrating the north and south sides of the activity centre.
The report noted the project had improved traffic and transport management and public transport connectivity.
However the report’s authors had several concerns about the sky rail which was planned to eliminate Noble Park’s three level crossings.
The council was concerned about the “significant burden” of maintaining the open spaces under the rail line and the impact of freight train noise on residents.
It also questioned the impact of a possible fourth track on nearby retail centres, Noble Park Aquatic Centre, skate park and Ross Reserve.
The report noted the shifting of tracks southwards near Chandler Road created more open space at the shopping strip but threatened the amenity of nearby homes.
– CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
