NOVEMBER 22, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
A third station will be built on the Mernda rail extension, with the state government agreeing to pleas for a station near Hawkstowe Parade in South Morang. The government initially planned two stations, one at Mernda and the other near Marymede Catholic College in South Morang. But last week, Premier Daniel Andrews said a third station would now be included. The three stations are expected to be used by more than 8000 passengers a day. The Premier said construction of the $600 million rail extension will begin next year, with trains due to be running by 2019. The eight-kilometre rail extension is expected to create up to 3000 new jobs – 1200 during its construction and as many as 1800 indirectly via suppliers and other businesses the project will support. Mr Andrews said the extension will also generate more than 70 ongoing jobs once trains are running. “The Mernda rail extension will change people’s lives for the better – creating work for thousands of people, and connecting one of Australia’s fastest growing communities to employment, education and the rest of Victoria,” he said. Mill Park MP Lily D’Ambrosio said the inclusion of a station near Hawkstowe Parade shows the government is listening to people. “People said they wanted the third station, and we’re getting on with building it. We’re listening to locals and delivering
the projects and services that Victorians need.” The track extension will be built by John Holland, and the overall project will include new walking and cycling paths, better bus connections, extensive bike storage and up to 2000 parking spaces across the three stations, as well as space to stable trains at Mernda. Information sessions about the rail extension will be held in December. Details: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/merndarail Laura Michell
(Artist impressions: Supplied)
Third station now on track
O’Herns Road cashed up By Laura Michell
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The O’Herns Road interchange will finally go ahead, with the federal government announcing it has included the long-awaited project in a $3 billion infrastructure package for Victoria. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull foreshadowed the spending spree last week, saying the package will provide critical funding for more than 40 key road and rail projects across the state. The federal government will contribute $1.5 billion towards the projects, with the state
government matching this with another $1.5 billion. Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester said the O’Herns Road interchange was among projects to receive funding. However, he did not say how much the government will be contributing, or when. “Following our commitment to invest in an urban congestion package, the O’Herns Road interchange has been included,” he said. The state government has already committed $40.7 million to the interchange, with Whittlesea council providing $12.5 million.
The project requires $67 million from the federal government, and includes on/off ramps at the Hume Freeway at O’Herns Road at Epping North, duplication of 1.4 kilometres of O’Herns Road east of the interchange, extra lanes of the Hume Freeway between O’Herns Road and Cooper Street, and traffic lights to replace the roundabout at High Street, O’Herns, Findon and Epping roads. Whittlesea council has long lobbied for the interchange to relieve congestion at the Hume Freeway’s Cooper Street interchange and provide 45,000 residents in Epping North
with direct freeway access. The council’s partnerships and engagement director, Liana Thompson, said the funding was welcome news for Whittlesea commuters. “We’ve been lobbying the federal government to fund O’Herns Road, so this is a particularly exciting announcement. With the state government already committed … this project can now go ahead,” she said. “We know traffic congestion is a huge issue in our community, and we’ve been calling on all levels of government to provide much-needed infrastructure.”