Coalition to fund new footbridge for Box Hill cemetery

A Liberal Nationals Coalition government will provide $460,000 to construct a footbridge to Box Hill cemetery across the railway line cutting near Middleborough Road, the Member for Box Hill, Robert Clark, announced today.

The footbridge will restore pedestrian access to Box Hill Cemetery which was lost in 2006 when the Bracks government lowered the railway line to run underneath Middleborough Road, and refused to provide a footbridge to replace the existing pathway.

 “Many people wanting to visit the graves of loved ones buried in Box Hill Cemetery used to use the path across the railway line to enter the cemetery.  They could park their cars in Sagoe Lane on the north side of the railway line and it was then just a short walk across the railway tracks into the cemetery,” Mr Clark said.

 “Without this access, car parking around the cemetery is very limited.  Elderly visitors either have to walk a long way, or risk injury or death trying to cross busy Middleborough Road from the Blackburn side.

 “The pedestrian pathway was also used by students of Box Hill High School and other local residents travelling to and from the residential area south of the cemetery.

 “A footbridge to the cemetery could and should have been built as part of the Middleborough Road grade separation project, but local pleas were ignored by the government in their rush to get the project started before the 2006 State election.

 “Since then, the government has used a range of dodgy excuses to refuse to build the footbridge. 

 “First they said they would provide a new cemetery entrance near the railway line on Middleborough Road instead.  Then when they scrapped that idea, they said the railway cutting wasn’t deep enough for a footbridge.  When we showed the cutting was deep enough, they said it would risk trees on the cemetery side and there wasn’t enough room. 

 “When the cemetery trust said those weren’t problems, the government said it would cost too much.  When we showed that a bridge could be built off-site and installed for $460,000, the government just ignored our pleas.

 “It is appalling that the Bracks and Brumby governments have refused to listen to the community for so long about this project which means so much for so many people.  I’m delighted that a Baillieu government will make it happen,” Mr Clark said. 

Since 2006, hundreds of cemetery users have signed petitions in support of building a footbridge.  The project has also been strongly supported by the Whitehorse Club Ltd, St Francis Xavier Parish and the Greek Orthodox Community of Box Hill and District Inc.  The Box Hill Cemetery trustees have also made clear their support for restoration of the pedestrian crossing.