Elsie Lange
Diggers Rest residents say they feel left out of the conversation about level crossing removal works along the Sunbury train line.
In October, Sunbury MP Josh Bull announced level crossing removals would take place at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road in Diggers Rest to make the Sunbury line free of level crossings by 2026. Mr Bull is also the level crossings parliamentary secretary.
Community advocate David O’Connor and 14 other signatories reached out to Mr Bull via post and email to ask for a face-to-face meeting with himself and the level crossing project team about a month ago, but they had not received a response when Star Weekly went to print.
“My concerns are that although we support the removal of the crossing, residents are concerned that the lack of consultation is not addressing all the options available,” Mr O’Connor said.
“I’m up the street from it, it upsets me because we want the best for Diggers Rest and we feel that without the right consultation, which includes everybody, [we] won’t achieve those outcomes.”
As part of planning, the level crossing project team undertook site investigation works during November and December last year.
These works included geotechnical, land and utility surveying around the sites, traffic surveys along Watsons Road and Old Calder Highway and surveying of the rail corridor.
Mr Bull said there would be comprehensive public information sessions on every aspect of the Diggers Rest project prior to any construction.
“As with all local projects I am happy to meet with residents to hear their views and discuss the project in more detail,” he said.
“The removal of both of these level crossings presents a really exciting time for Diggers Rest and I am committed to ensuring we achieve a wonderful outcome for the community.”
Jasdev Singh, Diggers Rest resident and letter signatory, said he and others were anxious to make sure they were involved in the process of planning.
“We are not against removing the level crossing, but we want to know how they are doing it,” he said.
Mr O’Connor praised Mr Bull’s previous efforts to keep the community informed, but having not heard from him yet “makes us nervous”.
