By LAURA WAKELY
A TRAIN storage facility will be built on a parcel of land at the back of the Calder Park Raceway.
The government is carrying out an environmental assessment on a parcel of land at Calder Park for train stabling and maintenance facilities.
A Public Transport Victoria spokesperson told Star stage one of the stabling yard would accommodate seven new trains currently on order, with the “ultimate provision” for 30 trains to be stored at the site.
“The stabling yard would connect to the Sydenham line and improve timetabling flexibility and capacity to run more services on train lines in Melbourne’s west and north,” the spokesperson said.
The facility would also include an amenities building for staff, an upgraded power substation, CCTV, lighting and a security system.
The spokesperson did not reveal what other sites were considered before selecting Calder Park but said sites were assessed on the availability of land, existing land use plans and environmental considerations.
However, an environmental assessment still needs to be carried out on the site prior to purchase of the land.
“Part of the process in planning for this infrastructure is to make the necessary accommodations for native flora and fauna,” the spokesperson said.
“PTV is confident that any final plans for development of the site will appropriately consider any adverse impact on native flora and fauna.”
The PTV website states that investigations have not identified any “significant environmental or planning issues” that would prevent the facility being built.
The completed assessment will be forwarded to Planning Minister Matthew Guy.
If approved, design and construction would begin in 2013.
