Killer crossings 'overlooked'
Louise Clifton-Evans
05May08
A LEAKED report on level-crossing safety on the Mornington Peninsula is missing the deadly Bungower Rd crossing at Somerville.
VicTrack is prioritising level-crossing upgrades based on the Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model , and has sent copies of its report to stakeholders including affected councils. But the ALCAM document seen by the Leader does not include any information on the Bungower Rd or Mornington-Tyabb Rd level crossings.
Both crossings have recorded fatalities in the past year.
The Tyabb crossing now has boom barriers, but the Bungower Rd crossing does not.
The leaked report was obtained by Hastings state Liberal MP Neale Burgess.
He said he would raise the issue in State Parliament this week.
VicTrack and the office of Transport Minister Lynne Kosky denied the two level crossings were missing from the data.
"The report you refer to was an interim report only of level-crossing priorities nominated by councils and VicRoads," a VicTrack spokesperson said.
"It is now out of date."
But Mornington Peninsula Council director of sustainable infrastructure Bruce Douglas said the ALCAM data originated from VicTrack and was current when he last looked at it a week ago.
Mr Douglas said the data was being reviewed by the council.
"I am hoping it is a 'typo' or an error that has just appeared that we will sort out," Mr Douglas said.
"Boom barriers are urgently required for the Bungower Rd level crossing it is one of the crossings that has very poor visibility."
The only Bungower Rd crossing listed in the ALCAM data is one in Mornington used by old steam trains travelling at 20km/h.
Mr Burgess said the fact that the two level crossings were missing from the report was either a "negligent bungle" or a "deliberate act".
VicTrack said the priority of all Victoria's level crossings, including at Bungower Rd on the Stony Point line, was being assessed with the outcome released shortly.
