Jennifer Pittorino
Hobsons Bay council has requested a temporary pause on the Champion Road level crossing removal project, to consider alternative options to achieve the best possible outcome for the community.
In its meeting on Tuesday, March 12, council reiterated it does not support the proposed closure of Champion Road as the solution for the removal of the level crossing.
Council sent notes to the Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Tim Pallas requesting the project be paused.
As previously reported by Star Weekly, Newport and Williamstown residents have long expressed their dissatisfaction with the proposed plan to completely close the Champion Road level crossing to traffic.
Hobsons Bay council has shown its support for the residents by hosting community consultation sessions and speaking with local members of parliament.
Councillor Peter Hemphill said the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) should look at other alternatives.
“There are possibilities to keep Champion Road open, but if it is to be closed, there could be other things that happen,” he said.
“There could be an extension of Charles Street, circulating through the top end of Champion Road, and that is feasibly possible if they put their mind to it.
“One thing the community interest group has been saying is they want this particular crossing to be pushed back.
“They can move on the Maidstone Street crossing and do this one at Champion Road properly.”
Councillor Pamela Sutton-Legaud said there has not been enough community consultation on the project.
“It just underpins the need for real community consultation on these types of projects,” she said.
“The reason for removing these level crossings is supposed to be about safety.
“If the community has concerns and the sooner that we engage with the community right across the project, the better and I think unfortunately, that hasn’t happened on this occasion.”
In working with the residents, Cr Sutton-Legaud said she hopes the community gets the result it wants.
“I do hope that there’s a decision regarding this made relatively quickly,” she said.
“It’s not something that you want to drag on for the next few years. We want to keep the road open.”
