Whittlesea Council claims it was refused access to a key report on the Mernda rail extension, which led to a decision to elevate sections of the track.
The council’s city transport and presentation director Nick Mann took the unconventional step of raising a matter of urgent business at the June 28 council meeting, urging councillors to write to Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan expressing disappointment that reference designs for the project, released in May, include elevated rail track.
He told the meeting the council had unsuccessfully sought the release of a geotechnical report, which had led the Level Crossing Removal Authority to include elevated rail at Hawkstowe Parade, The Parkway and Mernda town centre.
But the authority’s project director Graeme Chambers has disputed Mr Mann’s claim.
“The geotechnical report is available for council officers to view and receive a briefing on,” Mr Chambers said last week.
Councillors backed Mr Mann’s motion, agreeing to write to Ms Allan citing 12 matters of urgency around the impact of the proposed elevated rail sections on nearby residents, and ongoing maintenance of areas under the raised tracks.
Cr Mary Lalios said the council wanted to view the report to ensure all options had been considered before the project proceeded with elevated rail.
“The community is very concerned about the eyesore and the blight on the landscape this will have. We have to be a voice for the community,” she said.
“If the geotechnical report says it can’t be done [at or below ground level] for whatever reason, I think that we as a council will understand that.”
Mr Chambers said the authority had included sections of elevated rail in the track extension’s reference designs to ensure that no new level crossing would be created by the project.
“A high water table, basaltic rock conditions and existing underground services were also key considerations,” he said.
The extension is due to open in 2019 and will include a premium station at Mernda, as well as a second station near South Morang’s Marymede Catholic College.
Bidders have been asked to price a third station near Hawkstowe Parade.
John Holland and a McConnell Dowell Constructors/UGL Engineering joint venture have been shortlisted to tender for the track extension.
A contract for the project is expected to be awarded in early 2017, with construction to start soon afterwards.
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