By Sarah Schwager
LOCALS met in anger last week to discuss the controversial proposed rail link to the Port of Hastings.
More than 200 people turned out at the Cranbourne Racecourse last Thursday to give their comments on a report for the development and hear from both Casey Council and the Port of Hastings.
Residents fear the proposal would force compulsory acquisition of their land and homes by the State Government.
Last month the News revealed the Department of Infrastructure’s preferred rail link from Gippsland to the developing Port of Hastings would run from Pakenham to Clyde-Five Ways Road, along Baxter-Tooradin Road to the Westernport Highway.
If the rail link as outlined in the report goes ahead, it would put Casey’s oldest homestead, Cannons Creek property Balla Balla, in the path of freight trains.
Casey councillor Steve Beardon said there was a lot of angst among local residents at the meeting.
“It was a very tense situation for people,” he said.
“A lot of people were hearing about it for the first time and it was very distressing for them.
“They (City of Casey and Port of Hastings) really need to hold another couple of forums.”
According to the Western Port Action Group, which was formed as a result of community opposition to the proposed expansion of the Port of Hastings, the expansion will see 16 diesel freight trains running through the centre of Cranbourne each day.
They say it would also see a four-track railway built, 3410 trucks per day, many along Westernport Highway, the bay dredged, no more fishing in the bay, bay pollution and 10,000 acres of compulsory land acquisitions.
Newly elected Hastings MP Neale Burgess said there was a great concern that property in the area would be automatically devalued just because the proposed expansion was being mentioned.
“People don’t deserve that,” he said. “For a lot of people their home is their superannuation.”
Mr Burgess said while he supported the job opportunities the port development would bring, he believed the rail link should run along Westernport, as planned for the last 30 to 40 years.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, Councillor Kevin Bradford moved a motion that Casey conduct a meeting involving interested mayors and councillors from the Shire of Cardinia, Shire of Mornington Peninsula, City of Frankston and City of Greater Dandenong.
Cr Bradford said the meeting would be an ideal opportunity for representatives from the five municipalities to work together on the contentious issue.
“Hopefully they accept the invite and we can have some solid debate and discussion about the proposed development,” Cr Bradford said.
Residents have now been given until 22 December to put in their submissions.
For more information contact the Western Port Action Group on 0405 152 156.
