Goodwood Residents Demand Answers On Rail Upgrade

The following appeared on the Adelaide Now website today and will be in this week's Eastern Courier.

Goodwood residents demand answers on rail upgrade

• by: Emma Altschwager
• From: Eastern Courier Messenger
• September 25, 2012 11:13AM

• •  

Deidree Wilson wants answers on the rail upgrade. Picture: Helen Orr Source: adelaidenow

THE community has been left in the dark about the State Government's project to separate train lines at Goodwood, residents say.

Millswood Cres residents, whose homes back on to the train line, say they have been given little or no information about imminent works to separate the freight and commuter rail lines near Leader St.
John and Mary Vanderkolk, who have lived on Millswood Cres for 32 years, were angry about the lack of information. Transport Department staff visited the couple's house about six weeks ago to inspect a tree close to the property's back fence.
"They said they'd send out the information and we've got nothing," Mr Vanderkolk said.
Deidree Wilson was also disappointed. "The first I knew about it was when I was walking through the park and saw the signs that were put up by a local councillor," she said.

Unley councillor Jennie Boisvert said she had received dozens of emails from worried residents.
"They're concerned about dust, noise, significant trees, rehabilitation of the area and the diversion of Brown Hill Creek," she said.
She has called on the Government to hold a public meeting next month to inform residents about the plan.
A Transport Department spokeswoman said it had doorknocked the area and briefed Unley Council and community groups.
The Goodwood grade separation is the first stage of the state and federal governments' $443 million upgrade of the Goodwood rail junction and Torrens junction at Bowden.
Meanwhile, Brown Hill Creek will be diverted to make way for the Goodwood rail underpass.

Under the State Government changes to the rail line, a new passenger line underneath the freight line near Leader St would disrupt Brown Hill Creek's course and a culvert would be needed to divert its flow.

Brown Hill Keswick Creek Stormwater Project director Michael Salkeld last week told the Eastern Courier Messenger it was too early to tell how the rail upgrade would affect the plan to help flood-proof 7000 homes along Brown Hill and Keswick creeks.

"We are continuing to work with and be guided by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure to determine how Brown Hill Creek and proposed stormwater bypass flows can best be accommodated by the rail project," Mr Salkeld said.

A Transport Department spokeswoman said the government was working with the Stormwater Management Authority, and Unley and Mitcham councils to work out how to divert the creek.