Leighton clean-up imminent

A CLEAN-UP of the Leighton marshalling yards will begin next month ahead of the Leighton foreshore development.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said surveying and pegging of the four- hectare site was currently under way and the demolition of industrial buildings and the clean up, in line with Department of Environment requirements, should be completed by Christmas.

She said the project was on target to be transformed into a recreational precinct and home to about 1,000 people by 2006.

As part of the Leighton Shores consortium, Multiplex will be given a non-transferable option to purchase 25 per cent of the development area as part of the settlement of a dispute.

Ms MacTiernan said the settlement took into consideration undertakings provided to Leighton Shores by the Court Government.

That government had planned to develop 13ha of the 17ha site in 2000, but scaled back the project after staunch community protest.

Ms MacTiernan said the State Government had been diligently working on the project since coming to power.

“We have undertaken a lengthy public consultation process and have finalised the necessary Town Planning Scheme amendments and structure plans needed to develop the site,” she said.

“At the same time, because of heritage issues, we were required to completely redesign the rail loop to avoid the Railway Hotel.

“As well as carrying out the complex engineering design work and securing rail safety approvals, we needed to obtain a Metropolitan Scheme Amendment for the realignment, which has now been completed.”

Ms MacTiernan said the tender had closed for construction of the new loop, and bids were now being assessed.

Awarding the contract would most likely take place by the end of September, she said, with work to get under way this year.

Ms MacTiernan said an additional $1 million had been allocated for the area’s foreshore rehabilitation, bringing the Government’s rehabilitation commitment to $3.2 million.