After the painful debacle of property acquisitions during the rushed East West Link fiasco, Daniel Andrews must ensure all Melbourne residents are correctly informed with any Metro Rail process that involves their homes, properties, project boundaries and also ensure to acquire property at selling price, not the market price.
Any potential situation where people could be forced out of their suburbs and not able to buy back in nearby must be totally avoided.
The Melbourne Metro tunnel is very different from the East-West Link. On the plus side, the apertures are smaller and locals won’t be bathed in carcinogenic diesel pollution. The trains are not elevated onto flyovers and parks are not impacted.
While YCAT supports the metro project, on the down side, noise will be a major impact as will construction. Deficiencies in the way the previous government handled forced acquisitions should be addressed. Even after the east-west link has been abandoned, property values near the tunnel portals remain depressed.
YCAT is also concerned for residents facing the prospect of a new truck flyover on a reserve in Hyde Street, see Petitioning Scott Charlton, CEO of Transurban, Lindsay Maxsted, Chair and non-executive Director of Transurban, Daniel Andrews, Victorian Premier: The amended Transurban West Gate Distributor proposal puts profits in front of people
The amended West Gate Distributor proposal is not a solution to the problem of trucks on the roads in the Inner West of Melbourne.
This is a profit-driven plan that shifts the issue rather than solves it – at the expense of hundreds of residents who live within very close vicinity of the proposed tunnel entrance, at the expense of residents who live above the proposed tunnel pathway and at the expense of the entire communities of Yarraville, Spotswood and surrounding areas who will lose significant green space if this proposal goes ahead. We live in increasingly dense areas that are already impacted by truck noise, emissions and limited green space. The amended proposal does nothing to solve these issues for the people of the Inner West.
Media Release: Premier of Victoria The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP: Consultation On Potential Impacts Of Melbourne Metro Begins (22 September 2015)
Engagement with local residents who may be affected by the construction of Melbourne’s new underground rail network will begin this week.
Melbourne Metro Rail Authority has sent letters to 21,000 residents and businesses along the alignment of the new nine-kilometre, twin rail tunnels being built as part of the $9-$11 billion project.
The letter invites locals to come to information sessions and find out more about where the tunnel will go, how it may be built, and the planning process that will be undertaken.
The letter is the next step in an extensive consultation process that is being carried out with households and businesses to ensure they understand the project, why it is needed and how it will affect them.
Melbourne Metro Rail Project is the biggest public transport infrastructure project since the City Loop, and its construction will cause significant disruption.
The nature of that disruption will vary widely along the length of the corridor, however, it will include temporary noise and visual impacts during construction, changes to infrastructure close to houses and businesses and, in some cases, acquisition of property.
Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will work closely with all affected property owners, traders and residents to ensure they understand the project and the process. Further information sessions and online forums will be held in October and November.
Melbourne Metro Rail Project will transform Melbourne’s public transport network, unlocking capacity in the centre of the train system, creating room for 20,000 extra passengers every hour, every day.
The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with planning and development for this transformative project, with $4.5 billion in funding already secured, almost half the total expected cost.
For more information about Melbourne Metro Rail and upcoming information sessions, visit mmrailproject.vic.gov.au. For updates, subscribe to the Melbourne Metro eNews (via the website) or follow @mmrailproject on Twitter.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“Melbourne Metro Rail Project is the biggest public transport infrastructure project since the City Loop, and will cause some disruption to local residents and businesses while it is built.”
“This consultation process is about starting open, honest and respectful conversations with people who may be affected by this critical project.”
“Melbourne needs Melbourne Metro Rail, without it our city will grind to a halt. The previous Liberal Government wasted four years – we’re not wasting a moment.”
