Wednesday, 17 February, 2021
Pakenham
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Hands off homes By Mitchell Clarke
Some of the residents set to be affected by the new Pakenham East station development - both directly and indirectly. 228372 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS was our forever home but someone’s thought ‘that’s a nice square on the map’. It’s not just a little square, it’s our lives that they’re playing with. “I probably haven’t slept or eaten properly since finding out. I’m gutted. There’s no other word for it. I’m just gutted.” Matt Thorpe, who is the project director of the Pakenham level crossing removal project, said the decision to acquire homes was “never taken lightly”. “We know compulsory acquisition is never easy - and we’re working closely with these residents and the broader community to support them as we progress this project,” he said. The Level Crossing Removal Authority
maintain they contacted all residents physically and followed up over the phone “well ahead of the announcement”. They added that they were able to speak to all but one household before the information became public. Now every householder and land owner has been spoken to, the authority confirmed. Affected residents have questioned why the station can’t be built 500 metres up the road, on the vacant block of land recently purchased for the new Pakenham East suburb. When pressed by the Gazette on other location options, the Level Crossing Removal Authority said in order to comply with network safety standards, the new station must be built
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on a straight section of track. The selected location is compliant with rail safety standards and minimises land acquisition, they said, adding that it would “not be possible” to build a new station without some property acquisition. Labor Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said she had already been in touch with some residents over the phone and email, but was “more than happy” to meet in person when restrictions allow. “I know property acquisitions are really difficult for both landowners and residents. It’s their home or their business, they have so many connections to the area and love where they live,” she said. Continued page 4
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Some residents bordering the Pakenham East mega development claim they found out their homes would be bulldozed by the State Government through the media. Up until late last week, the one thing Chris Heib, Ross Bright, and Bob and Michelle Porobic shared in common was their street address. But now, the group are all facing compulsory acquisition by the State Government in order to extend the metropolitan train line and build a brand new Pakenham East station. The site of the station will be located between Deep Creek and the Princes Freeway, just north of Sharnet Circuit, it was revealed on Thursday, 11 February. Just hours after that news was released to the media, Pinehill Drive residents found out their homes were set to be taken. Chris and his wife received a call from their neighbour who told them to read the paper, while Michelle and Bob were notified by government staff over the phone at about 8.30pm on Wednesday night. Immediately panic set in for Mr Heib, who says he still hasn’t come to terms with the proposition. “This was meant to be our final house. It was where we were going to retire,” he explained. “It’s got everything here. We have a semi rural lifestyle. We’re really close to Pakenham but it’s still quiet. That’s just going to change overnight.” Despite the life-altering news, Mr Heib said he wanted to try and remain calm. “I’m going to see what the offer is. If it’s a fair offer, well, we’re going to move on I suppose, because at the end of the day, you’re not going to beat these people,” he explained. “I had friends in Carnegie, where the Skyrail was, and it didn’t matter what anyone said.” Bob and Michelle have only lived in their home for three years but say they’ve gone through hell to get to where they are now. Michelle’s father, Ross, also lives on their property in his beloved granny flat. “There are no words. We’re gobsmacked. We’re shattered. This is going to break us. All the work and drama we’ve gone through to build our house and shed will have been for nothing,” Ms Porobic said. “We were trying to finish the place off. My dad’s attitude is that he’s dying here. This
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