The Victorian premier's department secretary doesn't know if the government was aware of a report by the state architect calling elevated rail projects a cheaper but poorer outcome.
The question about Skyrail, a controversial government proposal to elevate trains two storeys above street level for several kilometres along the busy Cranbourne-Pakenham train line, came at a Victorian parliament estimates committee hearing on Thursday.
Public accounts and estimates committee member Liberal MP Tim Smith said that in Victoria's annual 2014-15 report, the Victorian architect says "an elevated road or rail will have a significant physical presence ... and is typically not a preferred solution".
The report also says new elevated structures, including ramps, will impact on visual amenities, viability of activity areas, the value of land and appetite for future development.
When asked if the state government was aware of the report, which also described elevated rail as a "cheaper solution but poorer outcome", Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Chris Eccles was not sure.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"I don't know the answer to that question, Mr Smith, and I'll take it on notice," he said.
Mr Smith also asked if Mr Eccles was aware of any other advice provided to the government by the architect, to which he answered he would have to check.
Locals have protested and complained of a lack of consultation over the recently unveiled plans to elevate rail lines in Melbourne's southeast as part of a plan to remove level crossings.
