Please note, based on current health advice we have decided to postpone our Cheltenham Community Reference Group (CRG) meetings until further notice.

We are continuing to engage with our CRG members online and are providing updates on standing actions via email.

Thank you for your understanding during this time.

About the Community Reference Group

We’ve formed a Community Reference Group (CRG) of residents and representatives from local community groups to help shape the Project.

The Cheltenham Community Reference Group (CRG) is an advisory group that assists the project team by providing a local perspective on project issues and ensuring there is effective communication between the project team and the local community.

The group meets quarterly and comprises local community representatives.

Feedback and ideas from the community will be presented at the Group’s meetings as designs are developed.

CRG meeting summary – January 2020

CRG networks

The CRG provided an update on how members have been building their networks and what feedback they have been receiving about the project throughout the holiday season.

Construction update

The CRG provided feedback about improved traffic management during the January closure of Park Road, Cheltenham. LXRP shared progress on piling activities in Cheltenham and an update on rail system buildings and potential truck haulage routes.

Upcoming works and disruptions

LXRP provided an update on piling activities, service relocation works and road, rail and station closures, including the February closures of the Frankston line and Charman Road. The 5 palm trees near Cheltenham Station will be safely relocated during this February rail closure and returned when the station precinct is complete.

Cheltenham Station will close early this year until late August to prepare to dig the rail trench during a major Frankston line shutdown between mid May and mid July.

Communications update

LXRP gave an overview on the latest works notifications and engagement activities. LXRP is running a ‘Golden Ticket’ shopping local competition in Cheltenham and Mentone during the February rail closure. LXRP has also been in regular contact with local schools to provide updates about upcoming works and disruptions, ahead of the start of the 2020 school year.

CRG meeting summary – November 2019

CRG networks

The CRG ran through standing actions and provided an update on how members have been building their networks and what feedback they have been receiving about the project. Nina Taylor MP, Member for Southern Metropolitan Region, provided an update to the CRG as Chair.

Construction update and upcoming works

The CRG discussed feedback following the closures of Park Road in October and Charman Road in November. LXRP shared information about upcoming service relocations and piling works scheduled until 2020. LXRP also gave an overview of early 2020 works, including road and rail closures in Cheltenham, and an explanation of trench building methodology. These essential works allow the Cheltenham and Mentone level crossing removal projects to proceed safely.

Communications update

LXRP gave an overview on the latest works notifications and engagement activities, including a wrap up of the recent Shopping Local competition in Cheltenham and Mentone. The CRG discussed feedback about the recent Cheltenham Street Party on 15 November 2019.

LXRP provided an update regarding the repurposing of the Cheltenham Station buildings and the CRG discussed potential options for its future location.

The CRG recommitted to their CRG membership and discussed increasing the frequency of meetings when major construction starts in 2020.

CRG meeting summary – September 2019

CRG networks

The CRG provided an update on how members have been building their networks and what feedback they have been receiving about the project. Nina Taylor MP, Member for Southern Metropolitan Region, provided an update to the CRG as Chair.

Construction update

The CRG discussed feedback following the closure of the station car parks closed in early August. LXRP shared information about site set up and lay down areas in Cheltenham.

Upcoming works and disruptions

LXRP provided an update on utility and service relocation works, piling activities and road and rail closures. These essential works allow the Cheltenham and Mentone level crossing removal projects to proceed safely.

Communications update

LXRP gave an overview on the latest works notifications and engagement activities. LXRP ran several school activities in Mentone and Cheltenham for Science Week 2019, including a ‘trenching’ activity and speaking at school open days.

Photos of the new Cheltenham Primary School art hoarding project were also shared with the CRG.

CRG meeting summary - July 2019

CRG networks

The Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) and the CRG discussed how CRG members have been building their networks and what feedback they have been receiving about the project. Nina Taylor MP, Member for Southern Metropolitan Region, provided an update to the CRG as Chair.

Construction update

LXRP discussed plans for upcoming works including the Cheltenham site establishment and station car park closure on 8 August 2019 and provided an overview of alternative parking options at Westfield Southland and Parkdale Station. LXRP also covered service relocations and other activities.

LXRP gave a presentation on where, why and how vegetation will be removed in Cheltenham. An environmental management plan has been prepared, which includes arborist assessments of vegetation to be removed and qualified wildlife handlers to safely identify and relocate any animals found.

LXRP also provided an overview of how construction and disruption communications work, including regular work notices and community updates.

Extended deck over rail trench

LXRP discussed the opportunity for an extended deck over the rail trench. At Cheltenham, LXRP has partnered with Kingston City Council to fund a 15 metre extension of the deck, which will create a line of sight from Charman Road to Cheltenham Park across the station precinct. The planned multi-storey car park building will also be expanded, with Council’s contribution funding an additional 36 parking spaces.

Other projects

LXRP noted the Suburban Rail Loop has a community survey open and encouraged the CRG members to share this information with their networks.

CRG meeting summary – April 2019

The first Cheltenham CRG was held jointly with the Mentone CRG and Trader Reference Group on 10 April 2019.

Project update

In its initial meeting, the CRG established group expectations and responsibilities.

The Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) then gave an overview of the project at Cheltenham and Mentone. The works at Cheltenham will involve digging a trench and creating a new road bridge over the trench at Park and Charman roads.

The project will significantly improve the area, with a new 3.5kilometre bicycle and pedestrian path from Heather Grove in Cheltenham to Warrigal Road in Mentone. The station precinct will see upgrades, including a new four-storey car park.

Communications update

LXRP also provided the meeting with a communication update noting it has been consulting with the local community since November 2015. The initial consultation yielded the importance of heritage and the rail trench solution to the local community, with the trench solution confirmed in February 2017.

The CRG also discussed LXRP’s plans for engagement with the local community in the lead up to and during construction. These included regular work notices and community updates through the construction period and information about disruption when required. During the main construction phase, LXRP will also door knock residents near the works, regarding the possibility of respite and relocation.