Jennifer Pittorino
Williamstown residents battling to keep Champion Road open feel those in charge of the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) have not listened to their community feedback.
Since October 2022, Newport and Williamstown residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the state government’s plan to completely close the Champion Road level crossing to traffic.
Newport Traders Association president and business owner Gill Gannon is among the traders who fear for the future of their businesses.
“They are constantly asking for feedback but they are nor reporting that feedback,” she said.
“The community’s really vocal and in saying that the road solution is unsatisfactory. I don’t think anyone opposes the grade separation between road and rail, we all understand the need to get cars and trains off the same road.”
The issue as it stands according to Ms Gannon is “dividing and separating the community.”
“There has been no consultation with one single business owner,” said Ms Gannon.
“We feel that the Challis Street precinct of which I’m a part of, could become a complete ghost town.
“We will be just so cut off and so difficult to access that this community, this little shopping precinct in here will cease to exist and there has not been one conversation about that.”
Ms Gannon believes the LXRP has not taken the feedback from community surveys into account.
“We are hearing from every single person within the community that the accessibility and the connectivity and the protection of our community is still being dismissed and not addressed in their proposal,” she said.
“They clearly haven’t listened to the feedback that they’ve been receiving from the community.
“They don’t seem to care, they’re just focused on building this sky rail and more focused on that than they are about protecting this community.”
At this stage concerned residents and business owners can still submit their feedback to the state government.
“The community can lodge submissions to the planning minister, voicing their concerns, and we encourage every single member of our community to do that,” said Ms Gannon.
“We need to step up the fight and understand that every person needs to really get involved now. We need a bigger voice, a louder voice.
“We need to let the planning minister know that we’re uncomfortable with what’s been proposed here.”
A LXRP spokesperson said, “Removing two level crossings at Maddox and Champion roads will make Newport level crossing free – reducing congestion, while improving safety and local connections.“
“Since mid-2023 we have been working with local businesses, residents and the council, and their feedback is being incorporated as part of the design of the project.”
The planning minister was contacted for comment.
