15 February 2016

NEWS DESK

Elevated rail not discounted Continued from Page 1 Upper House South Eastern Metropolitan region Greens MP Nina Springle wants the government to clarify who will pay for “the construction and upkeep” of new open spaces created by the construction of Sky Rail in the south east.

“I have met on a few occasions with local residents’ groups about issues of public open space, which is a perennial issue in the south east,” Ms Springle told Parliament.

“The plans released on Saturday [for the Cranbourne-Pakenham line] would create the equivalent of 11 MCGs of open space for communities.

“The possibility that local councils might be forced to pay for the construction and upkeep of these open spaces, especially with rate capping to commence in July, is of concern.”

An office of the Victorian Government Architect report, lodged as part of a Victorian Design Review Panel series, last year stated “lowering a section of the rail corridor under an at-grade road is the most supportable solution in most circumstances”.

The Level Crossings Removals: Lessons Learned report found an elevated road of rail structure is “often a cheaper solution” but “will have a significant physical presence and impact on a place”.

Nearby waterways, such as those at the Frankston end of the Frankston line, can however make it logistically impossible to opt for a rail under road option involving the digging of vast trenches.

While Ms Allan refused to confirm whether elevated rail is under consideration for the Frankston line, she did say Labor MPs Paul Edbrooke (Frankston), Sonya Kilkenny (Carrum) and Tim Richardson (Mordialloc) “are excited about this opportunity to have a conversation with their communities based on the expert advice of engineers and the experts”.

“Indeed the member for Frankston tells me that people in the last day or

Sky’s no limit: An artist’s impression of an elevated rail line section proposed for the Cranbourne-Pakenham line. Picture: Level Crossings Authority

so have been saying to him, ‘Just get on and get rid of these level crossings’,” Ms Allan said.

Level crossing removal works have

begun at Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh. The rail line is being lowered and the train stations are being rebuilt at the three sites.

Wrong way, go back

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A STOLEN Subaru WRX sedan was thrown into reverse on the Frankston freeway when the driver tried to evade police, Friday 5 February.

Frankston Highway Patrol had tried to intercept the car, stolen from Elsternwick on 24 January, near the Seaford Rd off-ramp.

But, instead of pulling over, the 21-year-old driver and his 17-year-old passenger, both of Seaford, slammed on the brakes, causing other cars to swerve out of the way, reversed and drove the wrong way down the off-ramp. The car’s muffler dropped off in the pursuit.

Detective Acting Sergeant Ryan Collins said the pair “did a runner” but were found hiding behind nearby houses and arrested. The girl was bailed to appear at Frankston Children’s Court, 8 March, on car theft charges.

The man, of Kerry Ct, Seaford, was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court, 5 May, on car theft charges, failing to stop, conduct endangering serious injury and being a learner driver without a licenced driver beside him.

Vision for parks

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Frankston Times 15 February 2016

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PARKS Victoria chief executive Bradley Fauteux will speak about his vision for national parks, including Point Nepean, at Saturday’s annual general meeting of Nepean Conservation Group.

“Bradley Fauteux supports Parks Victoria’s Healthy Parks Healthy People approach to managing parks, and brings with him extensive experience in park management, environmental issues and stakeholder relations,” the group’s president Dr Ursula de Jong said.

Ms de Jong said Mr Fauteux’s visit followed a January in which “the media put a spotlight on the plight of Victoria’s national parks, highlighting funding cuts, lack of resources, loss of personnel, and calling on the state government to take serious and immediate action to redress the situation”.

It also comes two weeks after two open days were held at Point Nepean to discuss Parks Victoria’s plans for developing the Quarantine Station section of the park following the state government’s rejection of a multi-million development accepted by the previous Liberal-led government.

The Nepean Conservation Group’s annual general meeting starts 3.30pm Saturday 20 February, at Badcoe Hall, in the former Quarantine Station precinct of Point Nepean National Park. Details: nepeanconservationgroup.org.au

Wills a way to give back ANYONE who needs to make or update their Will should mark the 24 February in their calendar as this is the day Red Cross has organised a Community Wills Day in Frankston where local solicitors will prepare a simple will from just $75 per person.

The Red Cross Wills for Life program has so far helped over 5000 Australians get their affairs in order with a new or updated will and many have confirmed a gift in their will to Red Cross. A gift in your will helps support the everyday work of Red Cross both in Australia and around the world.

For more information about Red Cross Community Wills days or to make an appointment phone 1800 811 700 or email bequests@redcross.org.au Frankston Wills Day Date: Wednesday 24 February Time: 10am-3pm at Frankston Mechanics Institute, 1N Plowman Place, Frankston