Tuesday, 7 March 2023

Brunswick electorate level crossing removals

Tim READ (Brunswick) (19:23): (77) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and the action I seek is that the minister and her Level Crossing Removal Project team pay close attention to the findings of the Merri-bek City Council’s consultation of the Brunswick community in addition to the other consultation work that will be done by the Level Crossing Removal Project. Merri-bek City Council has had a series of roundtable meetings with local groups and a well-attended public meeting at the Brunswick town hall to hear the community’s priorities for the landscaping and facilities associated with the project. I have attended most meetings so far, as well as meeting with other groups who live near the line, and I have heard some consistent themes about how people want the Level Crossing Removal Project to take shape. Most support the concept of elevated rail and look forward to having more green space beneath the lines in an area not richly endowed with parkland or even backyards.

Here are just a few of the ideas I have heard so far. Involve locals in choosing the features and designing the art and landscaping, starting with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and the Blak Dot Gallery, and release a concept design for community feedback. Preserve as much of the native trees and vegetation as possible, given most of it was planted by volunteers from the Upfield Urban Forest community group, which has been working on this precinct for decades. Trees are there because local volunteers planted them. For replacement plants, prioritise indigenous plants that will attract birds. Preserve and where possible incorporate heritage items like signal boxes into the new design. The population density is much higher in Brunswick than around the recent Coburg elevated rail project, and with so many apartment towers and houses right up against the line many have asked that the stations be less visually intrusive than the large, box-like stations in Coburg. Include spaces and activities for older kids and teenagers such as small soccer or futsal courts. Some of the area is prone to flooding, so plan for that. Consider walkers and riders travelling at different speeds and prioritise both at road intersections using priority signals and signs. Do not reopen any of the currently closed roads like Barkly Street. Bike use is high in Brunswick and growing, so we will need a good design for the many riders wanting to head from the Upfield path to Royal Parade, and they will need a safe, direct route to bypass the construction site while the Upfield path is closed for what is likely to be at least a year. Sydney Road comes to mind as the most likely option, and that is conveniently under state control. A pop-up bike lane there would be quick and inexpensive and heavily used – or make it permanent and add in accessible tram stops so people using wheels have an option when the train is not running.