Crossing removal: list’s city focus slammed

THE State Government has refused to answer why no Geelong level crossings were on its hit-list of 50 targeted for removal despite major questions over the selection of sites.

The Victorian Auditor General said the Level Crossings Removal Authority’s identification of contentious sites was subjective, with no clearly documented rationale, and offered “limited transparency around how decisions were made”.

“There is no analysis or rationale in the business case or other documentation about why the 50 level crossings selected were given priority,” the Auditor General found.

“The role of the public service to provide full and frank advice was not realised in this case.”

All level crossings either removed or set to be removed are in metropolitan Melbourne.

Many of the planned grade separations are in marginal seats that are critical for the Andrews Government to hold office at next year’s election.

A spokeswoman for Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan declined to address the Auditor General’s damning assessment of the selection of crossing removal sites.

“We are focused on delivering on the commitment we made at the last election, to remove 50 of Melbourne’s dangerous and congested level crossings,” she said.

“For Geelong, we’ve delivered over 250 new services, new carriages and we’re focused on the infrastructure the community needs for the future.”

Earlier this year, Opposition transport spokesman David Hodgett urged the Andrews Government to expand its major level crossing removal project throughout regional Victoria.

“Geelong is Victoria’s second biggest city and there is no reason why the level crossing removal project should be city centric,” Mr Hodgett said in September.