The City of Casey is calling on the State Government to deliver the Berwick community an upgraded train station and a 'rail under road' solution as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) rollout.
At the Council Meeting on Tuesday 16 July, Councillors resolved to write to the LXRP seeking the delivery of a new railway station at Berwick regardless of the level crossing outcome, while also outlining Council's preference for a 'rail under road' solution.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon said Council has identified that the Clyde Road Level Crossing Removal project provides a prime opportunity to adequately plan and redevelop the Berwick Health and Education Precinct in partnership with the Federal, State and Local Government.
"This should include building a new and contemporary 'landmark station' that positions the precinct as a pivotal gateway, tying together diverse uses and development each side of the rail corridor," she said.
"This project presents an opportunity to mitigate the impact of continual, long-term upgrades by 'future proofing' the station, carparking and road network to cater to the growing Berwick community, creating a vibrant, well-integrated and connected precinct.
"Council has been flexible and accommodating with regards to the LXRP projects in Casey thus far, with the less expensive 'road over rail' solution being implemented at Evans and Thompsons Roads. However, the level crossing at Clyde Road in Berwick is of major strategic significance and warrants a more sophisticated design solution.
"It is nominated as a Health and Education Precinct in Plan Melbourne and is of state-level significance, but the existing rail corridor creates a barrier to economic growth and investment, with impaired connections and poor amenity.
"In close proximity to the rail corridor and station are a retirement village and a school for people who are blind and vision impaired which necessitates high levels of accessibility and ease of movement; coupled with students from the local TAFE, Nossal High School and University. If done well, a 'rail under road' solution would achieve these objectives, as well as offering strong landscape outcomes and seamless connections north and south of the rail corridor.
"Meanwhile, Berwick is a premium station and must be upgraded to reflect this. Currently, it does not have a premium presentation or experience, but the Clyde Road Level Crossing Removal project provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform the station with a well-integrated design solution that provides improved multi-modal connectivity, safety and accessibility for our local community."
When writing to the LXRP, Council will outline its first preference of a 'road under rail' level crossing removal solution, with second and third preference given to 'rail over road' and 'hybrid rail over road' solutions respectively. This will reflect the feedback from the Berwick community which was unanimously supported by Council.
At the Council Meeting, Council also agreed to undertake a number of other actions to try and achieve the best outcome for the Berwick Health and Education Precinct including advocating to the LXRP, local Members of Parliament, the Minister for Transport Infrastructure and the Minister for Public Transport, seeking financial support to assist Council to properly plan, manage and coordinate the roll-out of major road and rail projects within the municipality.
