Thursday, 24 February 2022

Croydon electorate level crossing removals

Mr HODGETT (Croydon) (09:37): I rise today to address the obvious lack of care and consideration afforded to residents who live in Mooroolbark and have been directly impacted by the level crossing removal works currently nearing completion. The level crossing removal authority, under instruction from the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, appear to have a complete disregard for anyone who lives near the works and must put up with the desolate concrete jungle that has been left behind.

As part of the process for removing level crossings the authority conducts community consultation sessions with the public. Consultation means to formally discuss or consult on matters. The reality is that the community is told what will happen with no real opportunity given to residents to request any amendments to the authority’s plans, even though residents are the ones left to deal with the destruction of amenities after the fact. The artist impressions sold to the community at the start of the project are not reflected in the results. The promises of preservation of vegetation have not been a reality. Large amounts of additional plants were sneakily ripped out, and replanting is not even starting to meet the community’s expectations.

My office has been inundated with incredibly upset residents who are left with a massive concrete wall facing their homes, reflecting light and heat towards them. Replanting to date has been minimal, and constant contact by my office to the authority has basically resulted in a ‘too bad’ response: ‘There will be no further discussion entered into’. The residents are not against the level crossing removal; they just want what they were promised. With Croydon station having its level crossing removed shortly, there needs to be an actual open and transparent relationship with the community, not an imaginary one, and residents must be given the chance to contribute on matters that affect the value of their homes and the quality of their lives.