A DECISION on the location of a third rail crossing in Sunbury is expected to be made by the end of next month.
As previously reported in the Weekly, Hume Council and developer Places Victoria (previously Vic Urban) had an agreement to build a third crossing once 750 homes had been built in the Jacksons Hill Estate.
Original plans require the link to be built connecting the estate to Vineyard Road through the existing rail viaduct.
There are now more than 750 houses in the estate. Issues about engineering, the state of the bridge and fauna in the area have all delayed a decision on the crossing's location.
Places Victoria chief executive Sam Sangster said alternative locations were being considered.
"Places Victoria has recently presented two alternatives to the council and is awaiting advice from it on its preferred option for the crossing.
"The complexity of the crossing and the number of stakeholders involved has impacted on the timing of approvals.
"Places Victoria understands the urgent need to provide a third crossing for Sunbury residents and is working closely with the council to provide a timely solution, which is anticipated to be by August."
A Hume Council spokesman said it was still considering the Places Victoria proposal plus the original site.
Cr Jack Ogilvie has been pushing for the crossing to be built and pressed for inclusion of funding in this year's budget.
He said once the decision had been made on location of the crossing, it had to be built as soon as possible, not 10 years down the track.
Sunbury Residents Association president Bernie O'Farrell has vented his frustrations about the lack of action on several occasions.
"The council has done nothing and it's their responsibility to make things happen and seek the resources," he has previously told the Weekly.
"There needs to be alternative access to Jacksons Hill.
"Once the [rail] electrification [project is complete], traffic will be banked up and if there's an accident there will be gridlock."