SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
One down, one to go
Above: Footscray’s VFL team celebrates its second premiership in three seasons on Sunday. (Shawn Smits) Right, top to bottom: Bulldogs captain Robert Murphy. (Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images); Tom Liberatore, Marcus Bontempelli, Dale Morris and Josh Dunkley celebrate victory. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images); Elated midfielder Jack Macrae after kicking the goal that sent the Western Bulldogs to the AFL grand final. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Let’s drape the town red, white and blue – in celebration and in anticipation. This is the week that Western Bulldogs fans have dreamed about for 55 years. The Bulldogs are heading to the AFL grand final, where they will meet the Sydney Swans in a fight to the death at MCG on Saturday. The Dogs already have reason to celebrate, having ended a preliminary final hoodoo dating back to 1985. They have suffered through seven losing preliminary finals – but will suffer no more. The memories of so many wasted opportunities and heartbreaking moments can finally be replaced by Jack Macrae’s calm match-winning set shot in the triumph over GWS Giants at Spotless Stadium on Saturday evening. That was not the only cause for celebration for Bulldogs fans at the weekend. After invading Sydney, the convoy moved to the more familiar surroundings of Etihad Stadium for the VFL grand final on Sunday. The Dogs produced scintillating football in a 31-point mauling of Casey Scorpions to win the flag. Lance Jenkinson
Bridge over troubled rail By Alexandra Laskie Road-over-rail is the only option being considered for the Melton Highway level crossing removal, despite fears from residents that motorists will have clear views into their backyards. The state government’s Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) has confirmed the road-over-rail decision. Road-over-rail, which will include construction of a road running between Overton Lea Boulevard and the western entrance to the Watergardens Town Centre carpark, has been the authority’s “preferred
proposed design” since the project was announced. Several community consultation sessions were held in March and May and ongoing discussions are being held with Drysdale Avenue residents, whose properties will be most affected. But one resident, who did not want to be named, said a road bridge would be an invasion of his family’s privacy. “Our land backs on to the Melton Highway where the road bridge will be,” he said. “We’re concerned it will become a haven for youths to loiter there, and when traffic is banked up, they will have clear visibility of our backyard.”
The LXRA has said it was aware of community concern about the road-over-rail option, particularly in relation to the impact on Drysdale Avenue properties. But in a Brimbank council report the authority said: “While community feedback is being considered and will inform final design, the road-over-rail option is the only option being considered.” Road-over-rail was chosen because the area is built on dense basalt, which is difficult to tunnel through. The site is also on a high water table, making it prone to flooding. A tunnel would also have required the rail sidings at Watergardens train station to be
moved, which would be “expensive, would lengthen rail and commuting delays and potentially impact the station”, according to the LXRA’s website. The level crossing removal was first announced as an election promise in 2014. That year, 2500 residents signed a petition calling for the crossing’s removal. Bids for the contract to remove the crossing closed last week. The winning tender will be announced next month and the project is on track for works to start next year. LXRA project director Tony Hedley said the authority would continue to consult with the community.
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