Liam McNally
Diggers Rest resident Tracey Vella said that since she saw the state government’s concept design for the bridge that will replace the level crossing on the Old Calder Highway, she hasn’t slept properly.
“Many residents feel they’re going to have the noise of the traffic right behind our houses, the traffic flow in the area will get worse and I won’t be able to get in and out of my property safely. It’s going to become more dangerous,” she said.
The state government released early designs for the bridge earlier in September which require the road be diverted west over the rail line south of Stan Payne Reserve, before turning north to connect with Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, between Pepper Close and Welcome Road.
The route will require compulsory acquisition of a number of privately owned properties, concerns about the path were raised by residents before its official release and alternate paths had been submitted through community consultation.
Approximately 6300 vehicles travel through the Old Calder Highway level crossings each day.
Ms Vella said a property next to hers is to be acquired, and a roundabout will be placed out the front of her home to service the busy arterial road.
“We feel like we’re an island on our own, like no one’s listening, you can see the disaster coming and then they’re going to walk away and say ‘we removed the crossing for you’, but we’ve got to live it,” she said.
“And it’s not just me and my house that will be affected, it’s the whole community.”
Digger Rest advocacy group DREAM has written to deputy premier Jacinta Allan to urge her to reconsider the proposed pathway of the bridge that will replace the level crossing on the Old Calder Highway.
The letter, signed by John Verdon on behalf of DREAM group and seen by Star Weekly, was sent on September 10.
“As entirely expected… no alternate options were proposed for the location of the bridge. To make matters worse it appears very little if any of the consultation informed any of the design,” it said.
The letter called on the government to survey alternate locations as informed by community consultation, and if alternatives are not viable explain why, and also for Ms Allan to attend the next round of community consultation.
Further community consultation sessions are being held on September 23, 25 and 27. Registration is required.
Details: engage.vic.gov.au/lxrp-diggers-rest
Tracey Vella is not a member of the DREAM group.
Jacinta Allan’s office was contacted for comment.
