community forum update

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Last night, our community came together to raise serious concerns about the closure of Champion Road.

But one person was noticeably missing: Minister Melissa Horne.

We changed the date of the forum to accommodate the Minister. We worked around her availability. And with just 24 hours' notice, she pulled out—via email at 4:45pm the day before.

Despite face-to-face discussions and a clear offer that she could review and remove any recorded comments, the Minister declined to attend. Her reason? Our intention to record the event—for transparency and accessibility, especially for those who couldn’t attend in person.

Let that sink in.

We showed up with questions. She chose not to face them.

Her refusal to engage is more than disappointing—it’s a dismissal of the community she was elected to represent. Avoiding scrutiny is not leadership.

She has since offered to host her own meeting and respond to the submitted questions. But that feels less like accountability and more like damage control.

We’ve been asked to share her official statement below:

"I would like to acknowledge many people in the community, in particular Gill Gannon and Bea Tomlin who have let me know directly their opposition to the closure of Champion Road as part of the level crossing removal program. I have made significant representations to the Ministers who have held the role of Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, Danny Pearson and Gabrielle Williams, to inform them of the concerns I have received. Despite these representations, government is proceeding with the level crossing program and works have commenced. I will continue to provide the advocacy for the issues that have been raised with me and that the community can continue to influence, including noise mitigation; landscaping and urban amenity; improved engagement with businesses; and minimising disruption during construction. If there are members of the community who wish to raise specific issues with me, I am always available for a conversation and to provide representation."

We turned up with questions. She walked away from answers.

The fight to #KeepChampionRoadOpen is far from over.

Huge thanks to our amazing volunteers who made the night run smoothly—and looked the part while doing it, rocking their Keep Champion Road T-shirts with pride.

And to Little Ginger Co —thank you for opening your venue to us free of charge, even while facing the heartbreaking reality that the Level Crossing Removal Project will wipe out your external event space and put your business at risk.

This is what community looks like. The fight to #KeepChampionRoadOpen continues. And our voices? They’re only getting louder.

#InnerWestDeservesBetter #StopTheProject #CommunityMatters #TellUsTheTruth #StopIgnoringTheWest 

Community Forum Update – Minister Melissa Horne Withdraws from Tonight's Community Forum but it is still happening.

We’re disappointed to inform you that last night, Minister Melissa Horne confirmed she will no longer be attending our Keep Champion Road Open Community Forum tonight.

Despite our best efforts to create a safe, respectful, and constructive space—including limiting numbers, vetting attendees, enforcing clear rules of conduct, and offering full control over any recording—she has chosen not to participate. The Minister has cited our intention to record the session as her reason for withdrawing, even though we offered to work with her to manage what was shared publicly.

While this is deeply frustrating, it makes our forum tonight even more important.

Now is the time for our community to stand together, speak up, and show that we won’t be silenced or sidelined. This forum is your chance to have your voice heard, raise your concerns, and demand the transparency and accountability we all deserve.

We will be documenting your feedback and delivering your questions directly to the Minister. She has committed to providing answers and holding her own meeting at a later date —but we won’t wait quietly in the meantime.

Your support has been incredible, and it’s clear that our community is united and ready to stand up for what’s right.

- The forum will go ahead as planned.
- Stay tuned for updates after the event.
- We will also be sharing the Minister’s statement separately.

Let’s keep the pressure on. Together, we can make a difference.

#InnerWestDeservesBetter #StopTheProject #CommunityMatters #HaveYourSay #ChampionRoad #TransparencyNow 

We’ve had a very disappointing response from the Champion Road project sponsors to come and meet the community and listen to concerns about the permanent closure.

At this stage, Melissa Horne MP is still planning to attend. Unfortunately, Councillor Daria Kellander (HBCC Mayor) can’t make it due to a council meeting that night which cannot be moved.

However, this gives us an opportunity to reframe the event as a community meeting—a chance to update you on the journey we’ve been on for the last 2½ years:

-Who we’ve met
-What we’ve learned
-What we can still do from here

It is disappointing that those we hoped would come and speak now won’t.
They say they’re listening—but this clearly shows they’re not.
Our voices should still be heard. That’s our right.

We’ll film the meeting and make it publicly available.
Maybe the project sponsors will see it.
Maybe they’ll finally listen, like they keep promising.

But we won’t wait.
And we won’t be silent.

Let’s stand together. Our community. Our voice.

#KeepChampionRoadOpen #StopTheProject #StillFighting #BeHeard

Having acknowledged the response and subsequent decline from Premier Jacinta Allan regarding our invitation to the community forum on Tuesday, 25th March, the matter was referred, by the Premier to the Minister for Transport Gabrielle Williams MP (noting her name was misspelled in the Premier’s response - "Minister for Transport the Hon Gabrial Williams MP").

Minister Williams, we first contacted your office on 19th February requesting a response by 12th March. That date has now passed, and we have yet to receive any reply or acknowledgment.

Minister Williams, this is an important issue for out community  that requires your attention. We remain open and ready for meaningful engagement—when will we hear from you?

#KeepChampionRoadOpen
#InnerWestDeservesBetter
#STOPTHEPROJECT 

Melissa Horne MP The Age Today Show The Westsider 3AW Melbourne Hobsons Bay City Council The West Party Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly

So Level Crossing Removal Project are stating that "The community told us they’d like to see new outdoor spaces as part of the Maddox Road and Champion Road Level Crossing Removal Project. From this feedback, we’ve identified 2 options for a new recreational space for the community to enjoy. We want the community to have their say on these locations and what features they’d like to see..." 

They really just don't listen do they....

The two areas they are proposing for “new recreational spaces” are already existing green spaces. What the community has consistently asked for is genuine consideration of how to soften the area directly surrounding the new concrete monolith they are building. That means integrating green space, landscaping, and community-friendly features into the immediate area around the project, not repurposing other spaces that locals already use and value for open green space.

Turning the grass area near Fowler Crescent into a “destination location” is exactly what the residents don’t want. Why should they lose their quiet, local space to try and make up for what’s lacking around the project itself?

Once again it feels like Level Crossing Removal Project is ticking boxes rather than truly listening to what the community has been asking for. We want real solutions that enhance the area impacted by the level crossing works—not a reshuffle of existing assets! 

Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly The Age Today Show 3AW Melbourne The Westsider Hobsons Bay City Council Jacinta Allan Melissa Horne MP Ben Carroll MP Gabrielle Williams MP 

#KeepChampionRoadOpen
#InnerWestDeservesBetter
#STOPTHEPROJECT 

 A vacant block of land bought as part of the Newport level crossing removal project (LXRP) is likely contaminated with asbestos. 

Click here  for the full article

#KeepChampionRoadOpen #InnerWestDeservesBetter #STOPTHEPROJECT 

Hobsons Bay council said it is “extremely disappointed” with the state government’s decision to proceed with the controversial closure of Champion Road as part of the Newport Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) despite strong community opposition. 

Click here to read the full article

#KeepChampionRoadOpen #InnerWestDeservesBetter #STOPTHEPROJECT 

THEY THINK WE’LL GIVE UP. LET’S PROVE THEM WRONG.

For two years, the Victorian Government and LXRP have ignored us. They know it. We know it.

The Premier has refused to face our community. Instead, they’ve passed the issue down the line—again.

They are hoping we’ll get tired. They are hoping we’ll go away. They think ignoring us will make us disappear. Let’s prove them wrong.

HERE’S WHAT TO DO:
1. Hold up a blank piece of paper.
2. Take a photo.
3. Send the photo to us via DM and we will do the rest.

And then next week we will show them the power of a united community that will not back down.

This is not just about a road. This is about a community that refuses to be ignored.

#KeepChampionRoadOpen #InnerWestDeservesBetter #STOPTHEPROJECT 

It's all happening today Champions!

LXRP is on the move! 

They're out knocking on doors today, handing out this flyer with details on upcoming works. Here’s what they’re planning:

- Extending Akuna Drive
- Setting up site offices & laydown areas
- Removing vegetation & waste in the rail corridor

What to expect:

- Speed limit on Akuna Drive reduced to 40km/h
- More construction vehicles, noise & dust
- Works happening Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 7am-3pm

If you're impacted, they say they’ll be in touch. 

Stay informed and let’s keep Champion Road open!

Contact LXRP: 1800 105 105
contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

#KeepChampionRoadOpen #InnerWestDeservesBetter

WTF, Jacinta Allan and Level Crossing Removal Project? You’re STILL Not Listening! 

After all the community feedback, all the objections, and all the submissions—Champion Road is STILL being closed! And now, you’re asking us to submit ideas again? We’ve already told you what we want.

Closing Champion Road will choke local traffic, block emergency services, and screw over residents and businesses.

The Akuna Drive extension is a joke—it’s NOT a real solution.

How about actually listening to the people instead of pretending we have a say?

This is not “community consultation.” This is a stitch-up.

We’re not backing down. If you’re angry too, let them know—loudly. Head to Engage Victoria and flood them with the same message

#KeepChampionRoadOpen #YoureNotListening #CommunityBetrayal #STOPTHEPROJECT #StillFighting