Kingston Council has called on the local community to make itself heard during planning for the next round of level crossing removals announced by the Victorian Government for some of the city’s most iconic locations.
City of Kingston Council has launched its own community consultation and is keen to see community input constructively influence designs on the upcoming level crossing removals at Station Street in Aspendale and Bear and McDonald Streets in Mordialloc (pictured).
The Victorian Government last week announced plans to fast-track these projects which include:
- McDonald and Station Streets Mordialloc crossings will be removed with elevated rail;
- Bear Street level crossing will be closed to traffic;
- Crossing at Station Street Aspendale will be removed with elevated rail.
Kingston Mayor, Hadi Saab said the projects will transform some of Kingston’s most iconic areas and it was vital that the local community was at the heart of the process.
“Council will be speaking up on behalf of the community to influence positive outcomes during the planning and construction phases. By holding our own consultation, we can make sure we are reflecting our community’s hopes for this city shaping project,” said Mayor Saab.
“Community voices are critical in this iconic part of southeast Melbourne, which truly commands the highest standards of urban and environmental design in crossing removal projects.”
Yammerbook Ward Councillor, Tamsin Bearsley said it was vital that local experience and knowledge was used to help shape these projects from the ground up.
“We have a proud and long-standing track record of working proactively and collaboratively in partnership with our communities and the LXRP in the past and we want this to continue,” Cr Bearsley said.
Melaleuca Ward Councillor, Tim Cochrane said much-improved design outcomes, that better reflected the needs of our local communities, have been achieved in Cheltenham, Mentone and Chelsea and we want that for Mordialloc and Aspendale too.
“While Council isn’t the decision maker for these projects, we do have a strong role to play in speaking up on behalf of our community and we will continue to do that,” Cr Cochrane said.
