The Rail Spur is a substantial link between the Alphington and Fairfield communities.

Well used, it could be a really important way to connect up two vibrant community activity hubs.

At the AGM this week, Kat Theophonos made the excellent point that, if there’s anything the pandemic has taught public planners and decision makers, its the importance of super local community, and the value of really great public infrastructure.

The Rail Spur is a fantastic opportunity to take all we’ve learned about local community and apply it in a tangible way, right here, right now.

Kat has been a long time advocate for the spur land to be invested in community outcomes.

The Spur land is made up of 2 parcels, owned by VicTrack and the DHHS. The DHHS component (previously used for a significant disability support service group) is currently vacant, with some sections supporting a community garden facility. The spur has also been used for various construction projects during the level crossing, intersection and bridge works.

Kat’s AGM update laid out the case for managing the parcel holistically for public amenity. She has formally written to and met with James O’Brian – CEO of VicTrack – to outline the ‘threshold issues’ that are the most fundamental beginnings to community requirements. The most obvious, and basic, is a simple pedestrian path to walk to the shops and Fairfield village.

It’s a Slow Burn issue

Kat indicated pretty directly that the State government isn’t showing an inspiring energy level on the VicTrack land – or any similar ‘unused’ VicTrack parcels. In a time of lean budgets and unexpected public pandemic costs, the priority is to continue to make the case for the land to remain public. As a result the focus now is on doing the ground work to keep the issue on the agenda so that when a decision is being made, community demands are clear.

Health, social housing, open space, pre-school facilities, youth services, sport infrastructure and pedestrian linkages are all high priority proposals.

Right now there is no clear process or path to a decision for this land, and so continued engagement with Minster Allen – Minister for Transport and Suburban rail – Minister Wynne (regarding the DHHS connection) and VicTrack is Kat’s focus to ensure public consultation is an necessary gate on any further development.