Daniel Andrews’ Sky Rail blasted by Parliament

Shadow Minister for Planning, David Davis

The Legislative Council this afternoon passed a motion calling on the Andrews Labor Government to implement road under rail for its level crossing removals on the Caulfield to Dandenong line.

The motion also demanded a full Environmental Effects Statement and reads as follows:

That this house notes that
1. Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Sunday 7 February 2016 that the Government was proceeding with a rail over road “Sky Rail” for almost nine kilometres of the rail corridor between Caulfield and Dandenong as part of the Government’s commitment to remove level crossings;
2. this announcement was at variance with the community’s understanding of the Government’s election commitment and the community has not been properly consulted since the election;
3. while this House supports the removal of level crossings, the Government has no mandate to remove level crossings with an extended elevated railway option given its visual impacts, potential noise impacts and the lack of community support;
and therefore calls on the Andrews Government to
(1) listen to the community;
(2) complete a full open Environmental Effects Statement;
(3) ensure key planning powers remain with local councils given the impact of these proposals on adjacent public and private land and the need to integrate other local planning objectives; and
(4) pursue an alternate model consistent with its election promise which sees rail put under road.

Quotes attributable to the Shadow Minister for Planning, David Davis MP:

Nobody voted for Sky Rail, not at the last election nor in Parliament today, where Labor were too embarrassed to vote for their cheap and nasty Sky Rail plan, instead falling deathly silent as the vote was called.

Today’s vote sends a strong message to the Andrews Government to rethink its plans for a cheap and nasty quick fix to its level crossing removal commitments.

Everyone wants level crossings removed – but they want it done properly with rail under road.

Media contact:  David Davis                  0419 000 212         david.davis@parliament.vic.gov.au