By Natalee Kerr
A local MP has visited a historic Waurn Ponds farm this week in a bid to reverse a decision dividing the property to make way for a $115 million rail project.
The 164-year-old farm is facing the compulsory acquisition of a 61-hectare cut of its land for the construction of a long-proposed V/Line train maintenance and stabling facility.
Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur’s visit follows her call last month for transport infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan to deny her department’s request for a public acquisition overlay.
Mrs McArthur said the move to commence construction would “slice one of Victoria’s oldest farms in two” impacting its operation as an “agriculture enterprise”.
“This is an historic property and would be rendered unviable if the V/Line proposal went ahead,” she told the Indy yesterday.
“I am greatly concerned to see a farming property so disrupted when there are other alternatives for the V/Line stabling facility.
“Other opportunities clearly have to be examined and that is not an unreasonable ask.”
A 260-hectare property owned by Boral Australia, east to the Reservoir Rd farm, would be better suited for the project, Mrs McArthur suggested.
But farm was the “most suitable” of several locations, a government spokesperson said.
“It met the relevant criteria including proximity to the rail line, topography and environmental conditions,” they said.
The project would see more than 30 stabling tracks added to the site along with refuelling, maintenance and training facilities, according to Rail Projects Victoria.
The works would support “much-needed” additional services for the state’s “fastest” growing train line, the government said.
“The Waurn Ponds stabling and maintenance facility is critical in supporting V/Line’s growing VLocity fleet and extra services that will be introduced over the coming years,” they said.
Rail Projects Victoria lodged a request in June for a planning scheme amendment to enable construction on the site.
A public hearing process is set for later this month to discuss the proposed amendment, the government said.
