By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Promised parts of the Noble Park level-crossings removal project remain incomplete, according to a Greater Dandenong Council review.
The report on 25 March stated that most of the works associated with the sky rail project over Heatherton, Corrigan and Chandler roads had been delivered by the State Government.
One of the in-progress works was the expansion of Noble Park Civic Space with new lawns, trees, shading, stage area and garden beds.
The Level Crossing Removal Project had advised that it was dependent on decommissioning and removing the area’s electrical substation.
“Council’s understanding is that the substation was to become redundant during February 2019, with decommissioning and demolition to follow shortly after that.
“That timeline has not eventuated and the decommissioning and demolition is now expected to occur in the next few months.”
The State Government was still investigating the lease of land from Melbourne Racing Club and Sandown Greyhound Racing Club to create 500 extra car spaces near Sandown Park railway station.
The council is still negotiating with the Government over who bears responsibility for maintaining the open space and parks under the elevated rail.
There had been clear benefits such as a centralized bus stop area, a more attractive public transport hub and a north-south link road from Ian Street to Noble Park’s CBD, the report stated.
Traffic flows at the three removed level crossing sites had vastly improved. Boom gates had previously stopped traffic for 30 minutes every peak-time hour.
The Government also contributed $3.8 million towards an all-abilities playground in Ross Reserve, as well as a sports pavilion and ‘Tan’ running track.
The report stated that there was a net gain of 700 planted trees to compensate for the loss of remnant river red gums, and a new shared-use path Djerring Trail.
