Dear fellow petition signatories,

You’ll recall we signed the petition calling for a safe, direct replacement for the Mordialloc Stabling Yard pedestrian and cycling underpass, permanently closed in August 2025 as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project.

A by-election for Melaleuca Ward (Kingston City Council) is now underway, triggered by the resignation of former Councillor Tess Law. It’s a postal vote. Key date:

 • Ballot packs mailed: from Monday 13 July

There are 15 candidates on the ballot. I wrote to candidates asking three questions: (1) do you support a genuine, direct replacement crossing; (2) what specific action would you take as a councillor; and (3) what’s your realistic assessment of the timeframe. Four candidates provided substantive responses, summarised below.

Peter Brown — Supports a pedestrian/cycling overpass (citing the Gardenvale overpass as a model) rather than an underpass, which he argues would be cheaper and avoid the hydrological issues of Mordialloc Creek. Proposes building it on two parcels of Council-owned land to avoid needing State approvals, funded through Council’s reserves via a Notice of Motion into the mid-year budget review (Nov/Dec 2026). Did not provide a costing or engineering assessment. Timeframe: outlines a possible path to site works around March 2027 if a motion is supported.

Brian Paynter — A regular user of the underpass; strongly critical of it not being replaced in the design. Won’t commit to a specific option (underpass, bridge or other) until he obtains the Council file, but says access must be restored. Would urgently meet the local State member and relevant State minister, and also approach the Liberal candidate and Opposition Leader to seek an election commitment ahead of the November State election. No timeframe given.

Nicholas Bufalo — Does not commit to a preferred solution yet. Would first obtain the original project plans and any feasibility studies to understand what was decided and why, then advocate. Would contact the State member (Tim Richardson) and Federal member (Mark Dreyfus), and engage directly with the LXRP. Declines to estimate a timeframe, preferring persistence over unrealistic commitments. Asked whether signatories have a preferred solution in mind.

Llewellyn Dixon-Mason — Agrees in principle that east–west access should be provided and will advocate for it if elected. Would write to the State member and Victorian transport minister. Notes it’s a State matter and wants risk assessment and costings done before committing to a specific option. No timeframe given.

I’d encourage you to read these alongside each candidate’s broader platform (all candidate statements are on the VEC website) and weigh this issue when completing your ballot. 

I’ve invited the other candidates to respond as well, and I will update you further as more candidates reply.

Kind regards,

Lionel