NEWS DESK
Rail to Rosebud is part of wider plan URBAN planning graduate and public transport advocate Robert Whitehill (pictured) says his dream of constructing a rail line to Rosebud under the first stage of his Peninsula Rail Link project would cost $6.1 - $7.5 billion. His project, which he began in 2012 as a “potential” train line running from Frankston to Rosebud, has since evolved into planning for better rail and bus services across the peninsula – including upgrading the Stony Point line (“All aboard for $20 billion rail ride to Rosebud” The Times 11/1/21). Mr Whitehill said financial projections for stage one includes high-capacity signaling, triplication and grade separation through Mordialloc, and two new platforms at Frankston. They also include new buses and regional trains as well as the Stony Point line’s duplication. Over time, the two-stage project would connect the peninsula to the Melbourne CBD using the Frankston and Cranbourne rail links. Mr Whitehill says people have been put off by suggestions the project’s initial stages – just getting trains to Rosebud – would cost $20 billion. “This is not the case,” he said, admitting that errors in his initial estimates had increased the costs of the second stage to $14.7-$17 billion, pushing the totals of both stages to $20.8-$24.5 billion. Mr Whitehill said the project began as an investigation into running a rail line along the peninsula’s west coast. “I found the concept so feasible that
STARLINGS Spatial Sound Collective will debut “diffusion compositions” in Langwarrin next month. Picture: Supplied I decided it should become a reality and have been pushing for it to happen ever since,” he said. “With summer seeing a mass exodus onto the peninsula there is always going to be a surge in transport demand that the road network alone can’t handle. It happens every year.” Mr Whitehill, who earned a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours) in 2018, says he has presented the idea to politicians and “piqued the interest of many”. For more information visit the project’s Facebook page and peninsularaillink.net Stephen Taylor
Unique sound experience at gallery MCCLELLAND Sculpture Park and Gallery will host a unique sound art experience next month. Melbourne sound composer group Starlings Spatial Sound Collective will perform its ongoing project Blended Fields at the gallery on 27 February. Inhabitation: Spatial Sound Showcase will run concurrently. The exhibition will debut new “diffusion compositions” by Starlings members
Lisa Rae Bartolomei, Gillian Lever, and Josh Peters, as well as a range of other artists. Diffusion is a sonic arts practice in which a sound composition, such as a standard stereo recording, is played back over multiple speakers. A diffusionist performs by moving the fader banks of the mixing desk. Starlings Spatial Sound Collective sound artist and composer, Gillian Lever, said “McClelland is the perfect
venue to experience the wonders of sound art and diffusion.” “We’ll be presenting a suite of new compositions in conjunction with the RMIT University and McClelland’s Site and Sound exhibition. It’s an opportunity to enjoy sound art and diffusion in a truly magical setting,” she said. The performances will take place at 12pm and 3pm on Saturday, 27 February. Bookings via mcclellandgallery. com/programsandevents
We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Frankston Line
1 to 7 Feb
Mordialloc to Frankston and Stony Point
Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes Station Street
Until Dec 2021
Lanes closed between Lochiel Avenue and Patterson River
Springvale Road, Aspendale Gardens
From 9pm each night, 6 to 21 Feb
Closed between Wells Road and Pillars Road
Keep in mind, there are other transport disruptions across summer. Find a detailed list at bigbuild.vic.gov.au
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
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Frankston Times
26 January 2021
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As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 75 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 44 already gone. We’re also easing congestion by building better roads and bridges across our suburbs.