NOISE levels and traffic issues caused by the Regional Rail Link must be addressed, according to Derrimut MP Telmo Languiller.
The RRL, which is presently being constructed, will see new tracks for country trains built from West Werribee to Deer Park, then along the existing railway from Sunshine to Southern Cross Station.
In parliament, Mr Languiller has called on the Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder to consider implementing grade separations for two Sunshine intersections as part of the RRL project.
“I ask the minister to consider the grade separation of the intersection of Fitzgerald Rd and Forrest St and the intersection of Mount Derrimut and Tilburn Rds to mitigate the effects of increased traffic and trains, particularly at peak times,” Mr Languiller said.
“I ask him to provide a report to the house on the expected increase in traffic and train density and on what is being done to mitigate the impact of these increases.”
Mr Languiller also asked Mr Mulder to explain “why there is no settled policy guidance on when to use noise-limiting measures in the construction of the regional rail link.”
“This lack of policy guidance has resulted in noise barriers being constructed arbitrarily,” Mr Languiller said.
During August last year, Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the State Government’s Draft Passenger Rail Infrastructure Noise Policy confirmed RRL noise levels would exceed thresholds.
Ms Hartland said noise mitigation measures would be needed to stop this.
“Footscray residents currently experience noise levels up to 105 decibels, 20 decibels above the policy’s 85 decibel threshold,” she said.
“Maximum noise levels of 90-95 decibels are predicted along the rail corridor to Deer Park, which also exceeds the threshold”.
Star contacted Mr Mulder’s office but did not receive a response before deadline.
