Council seeks community input to drive best outcomes on Suburban Rail Loop Project
Kingston Council is seeking community input to help ensure we get the best outcomes for the community from the Victorian Government's Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) Project.
The first stage of the 90-kilometre rail line is from Cheltenham to Box Hill, which is planned to get underway in 2022. Stage One, known as "SRL East", includes a proposed new station at Sir William Fry Reserve in Highett and a proposed stabling yard in Heatherton.
Council continues to strongly oppose the use of the Heatherton site, known as the 'Delta site', for the SRL stabling yards, we also need to propose mitigation measures in the event the site is approved following the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process.
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said Council is committed to voicing the community's opposition and concerns over the proposed location of the SRL stabling yards. "We will work hard to advance and protect the community's interests as best we can through the process," Cr Staikos said.
Deputy Mayor and Karkarook Ward Councillor, Hadi Saab said our submission to the Victorian Government's EES will oppose the use of the Delta site and will detail all the potential impacts of the decision to use this site while looking at potential enhancements and opportunities.
"We have assembled a team of experts to assist us to respond to the EES," said Cr Saab. "We will also propose a range of measures and ideas to ensure we get the most favourable outcome for the community from this once-in-a-generation project, but we need the community's input."
Chicquita Ward Councillor Tracey Davies also voiced her concerns in relation to the potential loss of the Delta site. "This site has been designated as the location of a future regional sporting hub, this sporting precinct would provide for the needs of current and future generations of sports women, men, girls and boys in the south-east of Melbourne," Cr Davies said.
"Council has made it abundantly clear that we reject the stabling yards being located at the Delta site and will continue to oppose this. Our community quite rightly expected this site to be a key part of the Sandbelt Open Space - Chain of Parks Project as promised by the State Government."
