By Brendan Rees
Casey Council is calling on the State Government to deliver a new ‘landmark’ railway station at Berwick with a preferred ‘rail under road’ level crossing.
It comes as works on the Clyde Road level crossing is set for removal by 2022, with a design to be announced later in the year and works beginning in 2020.
At their Tuesday 16 July meeting, councillors resolved to write to the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) seeking the delivery of a new railway station regardless of the level crossing outcome.
Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon said the level crossing project presented itself as a “prime opportunity” to adequately plan and redevelop the Berwick Health and Education Precinct in partnership with the Federal and State Governments – which is set to accommodate up to 8,500 jobs, 11,300 students, 751 hospital beds and 1,000 high density dwellings under a planning scheme.
Cr Stapledon said council had so far been “flexible and accommodating” with LXRP projects in Casey with the less expensive ‘rail over road’ solution being implemented at Evans and Thompsons Roads.
“However, the level crossing at Clyde Road in Berwick is of major strategic significance and warrants a more sophisticated design solution,” she said.
“Clyde Road Level Crossing Removal project provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform the station with a well-integrated design solution that provides improved multi-modal connectivity, safety and accessibility for our local community.”
President of the Berwick Business Group, Tammy Lobato said their group supported council’s push for a new train station, which would “benefit from increased economic activity, greater time efficiency, safer roads and increased open space.”
The group was also thrilled with the impending Clyde Road level crossing removal – after more than 10 years of advocacy.
“We are aware that, whichever way the project is engineered, there will be significant impact on traffic flow and changed access arrangements to some businesses,” Ms Lobato said.
In April the Federal Government promised a $15 million upgrade at Berwick train station carpark for up to 500 new car spaces.
Former commuter Danielle Soobaroyen said gave up her job in Melbourne’s CBD due to the “nightmare” of finding a morning car park at Berwick station.
“It was such an issue for me … I just couldn’t deal with it,” she said.
Ms Soobaroyen said she would have to park about 6.30am to assure herself of an all-day parking spot, but had children to drop off at child-care.
