Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): My adjournment is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. The action I seek is that the minister join me for a site inspection of the Preston level crossing removals in my electorate of Northcote.
Works are well and truly underway to elevate the Mernda rail line and remove four dangerous and congested level crossings at Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street and Murray Road in Preston. Indeed, the Bell Street level crossing holds the unfortunate title of the most congested in Victoria.
When complete, this extraordinary project is going to make our roads safer, reduce congestion, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and completely modernise our rail network along this corridor.
Recently locals have been able to witness some major construction underway with foundation works, piling and crossheads being installed around Preston and Bell stations. Soon we’ll hit another major milestone with the first platform lift scheduled for later this month.
It’s all coming together before our eyes.
But this project is about even more than removing boom gates, building modern stations and making our rail and roads faster. It’s about transforming the way we meet, travel and connect by creating new open space, connecting our communities and delivering legacy assets that will benefit residents for generations to come.
Earlier this month I was able to share with my community the designs for the new open space made possible by elevating the rail.
Three MCGs worth of new open space is being created as part of this project. It’s an unprecedented amount, a complete game changer for this densely built-up part of Preston which is experiencing rapid growth.
The new designs for the open space have been co-created with locals through our Preston Open Space Advisory Panel. Locals told us they wanted multi-use spaces, more native plants, active spaces, community areas and improved safety.
I want to thank every one of them for what they have envisaged for our community.
Because there is truly something for everyone in the designs.
New cycling and walking tracks will link our suburbs and retail precincts. Two new nature-based playgrounds will cater to children of all ages. There are outdoor fitness zones, casual seating areas and a yarning circle.
Native planting will be a big feature, with more than 700 trees and 150 000 grasses, shrubs and ground cover plants.
But I think my favourite part is the beautiful grassy amphitheatre space planned next to Bell station. This is going to bring a whole new vibrancy to the area, and I can already imagine our local arts organisations putting on outdoor performances or staging exhibitions.
Public art and First Nations elements will also be features of this project, and I look forward to sharing more news about those aspects with my community as they evolve.
As the member for Northcote I have pushed for as much open space as possible to be included as part of this project, for a safe and accessible design of the precincts and for amenities that will benefit residents for years to come.
Over the course of the project I’ve also conveyed feedback directly from my community, and as a result we’ve seen some significant improvements to the design to create more open space and deliver additional value for locals. I will continue to work alongside my community to realise the immense benefits of this level crossing removal project.
I look forward to welcoming the minister to join me on site. This will be a great opportunity to see the progress underway and share more details about the wonderful features my community can expect to see included as part of this major project.
Preston is a very special part of the world, and with these level crossing removals we are making it even better.
