Seddon residents are calling for land acquired as part of the Regional Rail Link project – but which will not be used – to be returned to public use.
A 200-metre stretch of land along Buckley Street was acquired by the Regional Rail Link Authority in 2010 to enable construction of two dedicated regional tracks alongside the existing rail corridor. The land was formerly the site of a number of homes, the Footscray Senior Citizens Centre and public green space.
Buckley Street resident Craig Williams, who lives opposite the site and was speaking for residents with similar views, said that because some of the land had had a community purpose in the past
at least some of it should return to the community.
“If the council don’t purchase it, I don’t see anybody buying it and providing it for community use,” he said.
“It would have to come from local government or the state government.”
Mr Williams said the council would have received money for the sale of the Footscray Senior Citizens Centre site and should consider buying some of the land back. He said the area was crying out for open space and further greening of the streets.
“There are some smaller areas around, but they are all very dedicated to children – which is fine – but there are lots of dogs in the area and a lot of people would feel more comfortable if there was an area for dogs to be able to go.”
RRLA spokesman Paul Frawley said that with construction completed, the authority was in the process of determining which unused portions of the land were surplus
and not needed for ongoing operational purposes.
Western suburbs Greens MP Colleen Hartland has launched a Greening Seddon survey seeking feedback on how the site could be used.
“It was launched at the Seddon Festival and has already received enormous support from local business and residents, who see what a great and rare opportunity there is in transforming the area,” she said.
The survey can be completed at www.greens.org.au/seddon_survey.
