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3 AUGUST, 2021
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Brighter days ahead
Friends of Maribyrnong Valley, including Maelor Himbury, in action last week. (Damjan Janevski) 243222_03
The Friends of Maribyrnong Valley are making the most of lockdown coming to an end. The group, which conducts regular tree planting in Brimbank and Maribyrnong, have been limited in what they can do during the five COVID-19 lockdowns. They are hoping now that Melburnians are out of lockdown, they can get the community involved in their work once again. Friends of Maribyrnong Valley’s Maelor Himbury said it had been hard for the group over the past 18 months. “We’re back out planting grasses. We needed to get out to get some things on the ground,” he said. “The group has worked steadily since early in the year, when we’ve been allowed.” The group had organised a community tree planting event, which more than 100 people signed up for, before it was cancelled due to lockdown. Mr Himbury said the group is hoping to hold community events in the near future. “We have rescheduled one with Keilor Primary School a couple of times. Hopefully we can do it on [August 14] … We’re hoping to do a community planting for adults the following Saturday.”
Level crossing set to go By Tara Murray The Calder Action Group and Brimbank council have welcomed the state government’s decision to remove the Calder Park Drive level crossing. Last Thursday, the government announced it would remove an additional 10 level crossings, including Calder Park Drive, by 2025. State government data shows 11,000 vehicles travel through the crossing each day, with boom gates down for up to 21 per cent of the morning peak. Early investigations suggest the most likely design to remove the Calder Park Drive
crossing is a road bridge over the rail line, according to the government. As part of the works, the nearby Holden Road crossing at Diggers Rest will be closed, easing congestion and boosting safety in the area. Action group president Russell Mowatt was stunned when he heard the news. The group has been campaigning for the crossing to be removed for a number of years. “That is fantastic news,” he said. “There was a study a few years ago and it was way down the list at 194 or something to have it removed. “I’m just blown away by the news, it’s a pleasant surprise.”
Mr Mowatt said with the number of houses being built in the area, congestion at the crossing would only get worse. Brimbank council has been calling for the level crossing to be removed as part of the its ‘Fix the Calder’ campaign. “Removing the Calder Park Drive level crossing is another huge win for our community and our ‘Fix the Calder’ campaign,“ mayor Ranka Rasic said. “With 11,000 vehicles going through the crossing each day, this will save travel time for local residents and commuters. “Importantly, it will also help improve traffic flow on the Calder Freeway – where traffic frequently comes to a standstill on the Calder
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Park Drive exit when the boom gates are down. “The Calder Freeway has been identified as one of Victoria’s most dangerous roads, and work is urgently needed to improve safety, reduce congestion and provide better access and connections to cater for population and freight growth.“ The announcement follows a state government commitment of $50 million to upgrade the Calder Freeway. The federal government had previously committed $50 million to the project. Mr Mowatt said it made sense for the level crossing removal and upgrade works to the freeway to be done in conjunction.
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