Box Hill tram extension

[Chris Brownbill <cbrnbill@enternet.com.au>]

A couple of articles in the "Whitehorse Gazette" throw-away rag over the past
couple of weeks give some insight into the status of this project.

Wed 19/7

"Battering Tram"

Several Box Hill business sites, a front yard, a bowling club and gardens are
expected to be bulldozed to make way for the proposed tramline extension from
Mont Albert.  Even the famed white horse statue in the centre of Box hill will
have to make way from the tramline, trotting a few metres towards Clisby Court
and a metre or so South.

Yarra Trams' final plans for the major development were revealed last week. 
Whitehorse Council advisory committee meeting recommended the plans be supported
and its decision was expected to be ratified at this monday's full council
meeting.  Cr Helen Buckingham said the development should "roll on" as soon as
possible.

The extension would be a huge asset for residents, providing improved public
transport to the Box hill shopping and commercial area, the institute, and
hospital, she said.  But many businesses will have to move their operations, or
dramatically revamp them, as road widening will require much of their land and
buildings to be demolished.  All the properties on the northern side of
Whitehorse Road between Kingsley Cres and Nelson Rd would be severely affected,
the council chief executive Phil Warner said.

Land would have to be acquired up to about six metres back along that section,
which includes Kingsley Gardens, Box Hill Bowls Club, a private residence next
door, Box hill Institute land, Ward Motors used car centre, a KFC restaurant, BP
service station, and two tyre firms, Mr Warner said.  And properties on the
Southern side of the road, between Elgar Rd and Nelson Rd would have to give up
land up to three metres back, he said.

The plans also needed to be approved by Boroondara Council and Vicroads before
the State government started making arrangements for the compulsory acquisition
of the required land. ......


Wed 26/7

"Fuel stop tram fear"

A Box Hill service station owner is furious that he could be forced out of
business due to the widening of Whitehorse Rd for the planned tram extension. 
George Andrianopolous said his family owned BP service station could have to
close its doors and leave up to six people without jobs if the road widening
plans went ahead.   .....   "I'm aware of the proposal and am very angry about
it"  Mr Andrianopolous said.   .....   There was mixed response to the plans
from the other affected businesses in Whitehorse Rd.  Tyre shop owner mark
Donellan said he was led to believe the extension would not have an impact when
he bought his site 18 months ago.  "From what i understand it wont affect me. 
But if its going to take frontage, well, that's another matter", he said.

Ward Motors used car manager David Strapp said that while the proposal could
cost the business some land, he was "all for progress".  "Anything that brings
more people past the dealership has to be a good thing", he said.

-----

A few points to observe from this - First, the project has not yet received all
the official approvals it requires, so it could still yet be stymied.  Note that
whilst the article on the 19th said that Council approval was expected the
following Monday, there was no mention of such approval in the following week's
article.  Second, there is a degree of property owner resistance to the
proposal.  It is worth bearing in mind that the very recently deceased Brisbane
light Rail proposal foundered on opposition from (amongst others), the Property
Council of Australia.  The fundamental objection they had was what they claimed
would be the adverse impact on Property owners of BLR.

I hope similar forces are not at work here.

Finally, on a more positive note, its good to see a car dealer supporting the
proposal.  Gives you some faith in human nature after all.