What does consultation look like?

Community consultation is a big part of any major project, such as the Regional Rail Link (RRL).

There are a variety of groups with whom the government might consult - businesses, residents, community groups, public transport authorities, heritage organisations, local councils and other government departments.

A group called the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) sets standards (PDF document) for how community engagement for such projects should be conducted.

 

IAP2 uses a spectrum to describe the different levels of engagement, ranging from "inform" (where people are told things and have no opportunity to contribute to decisions) to "empower" (where people are allowed to make decisions).

This project is too big for "empower" to be a realistic option - we're not expecting that. However, so far, we've been given very little chance to have any say in the RRL decision-making process. The Department of Transport website page only commits to "keeping the community informed as the project develops." 

We'd like to be invited to comment on options and alternatives. We'd like to see our concerns acknowledged and to see that our input does affect what decisions are made. This would reassure us that the Victorian government values communities as well as costs. It would also prove that the government is sincerely committed to seeking the best route option for the very people that this new rail link will serve.

Footscray - the 'Cinderella' suburb?

Footscray has a long history of community action.

In the 1980s, residents from Cowper Street, Newell Street and nearby defeated a planned extension of Whitehall Street. This would have connected Ballarat and Dynon Roads but many homes - and an entire community - would have been destroyed.

During the campaign, historian Dr John Lack made the following observation: "[The road plan]...would continue the pattern of Footscray making sacrifices for metropolitan problems for which metropolitan solutions should be found.

"It presumes that if you want to do something cheap and nasty, let Footscray do it for you.

"Footscray is the Cinderella suburb, which will get you out of any difficulty you are in."

There is no question that modern Melbourne has transport difficulties. We, too, want to see them solved. (Then maybe we'd be able to fit on a rush-hour train!).

But why is it so often residents of the inner west that are asked to pay the price, when other options are available?

What price a home? Footscray residents protest the Whitehall Road extension

[1] An article from The Times, 9 May 1984, quoting Dr John Lack

Marsha Thomson visits Railway Place

Today we were visited by Marsha Thomson, State Member for Footscray. Marsha met with some of our residents to discuss the heritage and community value of Railway Place, as well as possible Regional Rail Link route options. We've asked her to raise our concerns with the Planning and Transport Ministers and to give us an opportunity for real consultation. We look forward to working with Marsha further!

We're in The Mail

Today's issue of The Mail contains a front-page article about Railway Place, by Grant Reynolds. Also, there's a rather nice picture of part of our street!

The article describes how we're hoping the Regional Rail Link will utilise a new tunnel, the existing goods tunnel under Bunbury Street or land on the other side of the railway cutting to Railway Place, which is already earmarked for development.

Footscray has heritage, history and community - and we'd like to keep it. Email us if you'd like more information, or if you'd like to add your story to ours!

Can you help us?

We're looking for stories and images of Railway Place, the parks and surrounds, old and new. What do you value about the place you live? How long have you lived in Footscray, and how does it compare to where you lived before? How has Footscray itself changed since you arrived? What would you be sorry to lose?

We'd like to show these stories to ministers, council members, the media and other decision-makers to help them realise what changes to this area could cost our community.

Can you help us? Please get in touch!

Or, download our questionnaire and tell us your story.

We're in The Age

Clay Lucas from The Age spoke to some Railway Place residents this week - read his full article.

The article quotes RMIT's transport planner Dr Paul Mees, who said the government's inability to say where the train line would run 18 months after it was announced was proof the project had not been properly thought through. The Rudd government last year gave the line $3.2 billion in public funding because it was ''shovel ready''.

Options for the RRL path through Footscray include a rail tunnel under the suburb, use of the little-used rail tunnel that already runs under part of Footscray (an option proposed by Dr Mees and backed by former World Bank rail planner Ed Dotson but apparently not by the Department of Transport), and bulldozing the rail corridor so it can be widened to accommodate new tracks.

Oh, and we issued a media release (PDF document).

Victorian budget released - Regional Rail Link details

The Victorian State budget was released today - see also the coverage on the ABC website.

One of our intrepid readers has found details relating to the Regional Rail Link, in "Appendix E: Victorian Transport Plan". The funding committed is as follows:

• 2009-2010: $42m
• 2010-2011: $510m
• 2011-2012: $863m
• 2012-2013: $1389m
• 2013-2014: $1245m

By comparison, the budget allocated for the Westlink road tunnel is $5m this financial year and $5m in 2010-2011 (presumably for consultants and consultation) even though the total allocation is $2.8bn.

And in "Chapter 3: Department of Transport" it shows the Regional Rail Link steps "commence land acquisition process" and "tenders sought for first works package" both scheduled for the second quarter of 2010-2011, in other words by the end of 2010.

Activities update

If you live in our area you might have seen some of us out doorknocking the past couple of weekends. We're handing out information leaflets and asking people for their stories about Railway Place. We'll be out and about for the next few weekends too, no doubt, so keep an eye out for us! If you'd like to help or if you'd like some of our brochures, please email us.

There was also an interesting article published in today's Age, about the proposed Westlink road tunnel that may run under West Footscray. Residents in this area are also having difficulty getting answers from the State Government. The Government has also confirmed that Westlink is their 'number 1 priority' for federal funding. Does this means roads are getting more resources than rail and public transport, again?

You might also like to go to the Transport Hub at 61 Irving Street to ask for information about The Regional Rail Link, Westlink and the Metro Tunnel, and how it might affect our community. Staff working on the RRL will be present at the Hub on Wednesday 5 May, Saturday 8 May and Thursday 13 May (11am-2pm). You can sign up for updates from the Department of Transport and fill out a feedback form...every bit of community pressure helps...

Save our street!

What's going on?
The State Government plans to add two new train tracks between Deer Park and the city, going right through Footscray.

How does it affect me? 
If you live on Railway Place or Leunig Place, your properties could be acquired by the government for the project, even though there is commercial land destined for development available on the other side of the tracks.

If you live nearby, there will be even less green open space in Footscray, train tracks right up to your property, loss of the heritage character of the area, and many of those friendly faces you pass on the street forced from their homes.

Is it too late to change it? 
It's not too late - the Government hasn't yet decided which side of the tracks it will expand on and there is even talk of digging a tunnel instead.

If we act now we can pressure the Government to find a better solution than bulldozing our homes. A group of Railway Place residents is working together to do this.

But better public transport is a good thing, isn't it? 
Yes, yes, YES. We Support this plan overall, which is called the Regional Rail Link. But we want a fair decision on the location of the track, based on what's bets for the community - not property developers.

So what can we do? 
First we're contacting local politicians to demand they help stop this. Then we might go to the press, stage a rally, start an online campaign...we've got a lot of ideas.

How can I help? 
Add your name to the protest list we're sending to politicians and give us a statement about what this place means to you - we'll use this to show them they're threatening a great community.

Get involved with the campaign - any way you like.

Spread the word to you neighbours, your friends, your family - everyone!