[VIC] Ill-informed NIMBYism can be more dangerous than trains "mowing down rows of houses and a school".

[usenet.spam@gunzel.net (Michael)]

Hi all,

In the February 6 edition of the Moreland Observer I had the displeasure of 
reading the following tripe. The first article "Groups to fight rail link" 
appeared on the front page, with a huge headline. The other articles were 
found on pages 6 and 7.

Just a couple of thoughts of my own on the airport link. While it remains 
the more economically viable route, it is also a more direct route. Via the 
Albion route, the train appears as if it will cover a much longer distance. 

Most of the infrastruction (without taking into consideration a third 
track, or total elimination of level crossings) is already available for an 
airport rail route via Broadmeadows. I believe either a third track or 
total elimination of all level crossings (by means of grade separation) is 
on the cards if the Broadmeadows route is chosen.

Having been past Barry Road, where the track will leave the mainline, many 
times before, I have noted that the corridor set aside for the track 
appears nothing more than a wasteland anyway. There may be sporting grounds 
further down the line but relocation shouldn't really be an issue. 

Provided railway lines are fenced, they will be just as safe as the local 
side street, if not, safer. I am not sure where Mr Roach gets his facts 
from, but I have never heard of a train mowing down rows of houses or 
schools, or any building out of the railway reserve for that matter.

What is everyone elses thougths on this?




Groups to fight rail link
-------------------------
by SARAH JOHNSON

The State Government could save up to $257 million if it puts an airport 
rail link through Broadmeadows but a coalition of protest groups has vowed 
to have it built elsewhere.

A study release last week on creating a 20-minute transit link from the 
city shows a rail line through Albion would be far more expensive than any 
of threee proposed options for services through the Broadmeadows corridor.

Up to $20 million of the project will be paid for by the State Government 
which is now taking submissions on the impact any new line would have on 
traffic, noise, safety and historical or specially zoned areas.

Information sessions for residents affected by either of the proposed 
routes will be held from February 13 to March 1. submissions close on March 
16.

The report says 94,899 people live within 500m of the Broadmeadows route 
and 42,349 near the Albion route.

Meanwhile, Say No to Airport Rail Link (SNARL) organiser Dina Bowman said 
members of her group would hold a planning meeting for future protests to 
fight the plans in Moonee Ponds tomorrow.

SNARL members met Transport Minister Peter Batchelor last week and up to 
500 members of protest groups from Hume, Moonee Valley and Moreland are 
gearing up to voice their concerns about the line, which Ms Bowman said 
"will rip communities in half".

"This submissions phase is a window dressing exercise where the public 
views will be whitewashed out of the process and politics and big money 
will take over," Ms Bowman said.

Oak Park resident and protestor Stephen Roach said the potential of trains 
derailing and "mowing over rows of houses or a school" in Hume as well as 
noise problems and threats to archeologically significant sites wherever 
the line is built would be "the worse thing to ever happen to the northern 
suburbs".

Boom gates would be permanently down along the eventual route to allow the 
100kph train to pass through, which would hinder local transport and 
endanger lives, he said.

"The government are masquerading their concern for the residents who 
elected them and going along with an agenda they've already got set to 
plonk a speeding train in our laps," Mr Roach said. 

Public information evenings on the study will be held from 4pm at Oak 
Park's St Francis de Sales School hall on February 19 and Broadmeadow's 
Youth Central, Dimboola Road on February 26.

Anyone who wants information from SNARL can call 9326 2144.

[END ARTICLE]



Residents, council gear up for rail row
---------------------------------------

By SARAH JOHNSON

HUME Council has lined up with residents opposing an airport rail link 
through Broadmeadows.

Mayor Gary Jungwirth said the council was "steadfast" the line should not 
pass through Broadmeadows and it would use a new study on the proposed line 
to help push it out of Hume.

The route to the airport would either go through Albion or follow the 
Broadmeadows line before cutting through Broadmeadows Valley Park.

"We do not support the Broadmeadows line, certainly it will never be in the 
best interests of the community to have it cutting through," Cr Jungwirth 
said.

"Despite our opinion we welcome this further information that the 
government have supplied and no doubt will find much of it very 
informative.

"In the next few weeks we will be going through each of the specialise 
reports done on the rail link that weigh up all the options.

"It's too early to judge how the economies of either route will be 
effected."

Cr Jungwirth said the environmental impact of a 100kph train passing within 
150m of residents and schools was such a major safety concern that it "far 
outweighed" any benefits of a new line mentioned in the report.

"We want to stay as internationally competitive and diverse as we can byt 
we cannot risk just a fence being enough to … protect young children from 
running on train tracks in front of very fast trains," Cr Jungwirth said.

"Whe noise of those trains would be very severe, too."

[END ARTICLE]



Route revealed at end of the year
---------------------------------
By KATHY RICHARDSON

THE route for Melbourne's planned airport rail link will not be known until 
the end of the year, according to Transport Minister Peter Batchelor.

Mr Batchelor said the government had not decided whether Broadmeadows or 
Albion would be chosen for the link, despite the release of reports showing 
Broadmeadows was by far the cheapest option.

He said the government planning process had to run its course and the final 
decision would be based on environment, social and environmental 
considerations as well as cost.

"The cost factors of course need to be taken into account but this is a 
planning issue first and foremost," Mr Batchelor said.

Specialist reports examining the two proposed options found that although 
both options were economically viable, the Broadmeadows option would cost 
between $191 and $285 million and the Albion route between $444 and $448 
million.

Copies of the reports will be available from Hume Council office until 
March 16.

A planning panel will then be appointed and a formal submission process 
begun.

Mr Batchelor said it would be a long community consultation process to 
ensure it was done properly.

"It will be a lengthy process and that is because when the Bracks 
Government does a community consultation process it does it properly," Mr 
Batchelow said.

He said the government expected to call for expressions of interest from 
private companies in 2002.

The thee-year work could start in by 2003.

Six Melbourne councils, including Hume, have joined forces in opposing the 
Broadmeadows option because of traffic, safety and environmental concerns. 
Community groups along the Broadmeadows corridor have also voewed to oppose 
this route.

Concersly, Brimbank Council said it wants the fast train link to pass 
through Albion but only if it stops somewhere within its boundaries.

Opposition transport spokesman Geoff Leigh said the government was unlikely 
to choose the Broadmeadows option - even though economically it was the 
most sensible route - because there was too much Labor Party opposition.

Mr Leigh said it was also unlikely that taxpayers having to fork out an 
extra $200 million to build the airport link through Albion.

[END ARTICLE]


Regards,
Michael.


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