We've permanently closed Webster Street at the level crossing and Dandenong's new road underpass connecting Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads opened on Tuesday 22 September.

The new road underpass reduces congestion and delivers a more reliable road network for Dandenong with drivers able to travel straight from Hammond and Cheltenham roads in the west to a brand-new signalised intersection on Princes Highway–Lonsdale Street in the east.

Last year we opened a new walking and cycling path along Webster Street, connecting to the existing Dandenong Creek Trail, providing a safer pedestrian and cycling connection under the rail line.

A new mural, Ways of Wandering, has been hand painted along the walking and cycling path and under the rail bridge.

Community feedback helped shape the landscape design, with many people telling us they wanted to see native and indigenous planting.

These species have been chosen to support habitat connectivity while increasing diversity with additional native species.

Using native plants celebrates local biodiversity and will ensure new plants are best placed to thrive in the surrounding climate and soil conditions.

We've planted more than 80 trees

We planted 15 new trees in Dandenong’s Woodcock Reserve last year, boosting the suburb’s tree canopy and biodiversity.

We've planted more than 80 trees across the project area. Near the entrances to the new underpass, native species such as Wilga, Lemon scented gum, River red gum, and Red flowering iron bark.

Planted along Dandenong Creek, the Smooth-barked Apple Gum (Angophora costata) were selected to complement the existing landscape and geology of the area.

The native trees were up to 1.5 metres tall when planted and will grow to be up to 25 metres.

Shrubs, groundcovers and flowering plants

We've planted over 20 types of shrubs and flowering plants. You’ll see species such as Creeping boobialla, Yellow buttons, Kangaroo paw, Knobby club rush and Correa alba.

Groundcover are low-growing plants, shrubs and grasses that spread horizontally, creating a carpet-like effect. These types of plants help to prevent soil erosion, weeds and enhance local biodiversity.

We've partnered with qualified landscapers to undertake a detailed program of landscaping monitoring and maintenance. Regular assessments of the new plantings will continue to determine their health and viability.

We’ll monitor the area for 2 years to ensure that all vegetation is properly maintained.

After that, care of the maturing green space will be transferred to the appropriate authority such as Dandenong City Council.

In Dandenong we've planted:

• More than 80 native trees.
• 30,000 shrubs and flowering plants.
• More than 30 different tree and plant species.

Stay up to date

• Sign up for email updates.
• SMS WEBSTER to 0428 581 917
• Visit the Webster Street project page
• Email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au or call 1800 105 105 24/7