About the Stakeholder Liaison Group

The purpose of the Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG) is for members to provide feedback on construction impacts and help inform the local community about any issues that may affect them during construction.

The SLG consists of volunteer community members who represent the views and interests of residents, traders and local community organisations. The SLG will continue throughout construction until the new rail bridges are finished, with a final follow-up meeting post-completion.

Members will provide:

• a local perspective, particularly about managing construction impacts to the community
• information to the community about the project and its construction
• local knowledge for discussions about the construction program.

SLG Members

• Margaret Hunter – local resident
• Mairi Neil – local resident
• Kimberley H – Mordialloc Lapidary Club representative
• Mark Wilson – Trader Association President
• Travis Howell – local resident
• Byron Douglas – local resident Mordialloc Creek Community Commitee representative
• Joanne – Scout group representative
• Jacqui Morel – local resident
• Julian Birthisel – Kingston City Council representative
• Trevor Cartwright – Mordialloc Men’s Shed representative
• Paul Taranto – local resident Mordialloc Rotary Club representative
• Judith Fields – local resident
• Bruce Cutts – local resident
• Theresa Bateman – Mordialloc Neighbourhood House representative
• Meagan Thornton – local trader
• Rachael Stone and Simon Cummins – Mordialloc College representatives
• Dean Kreiger – Mordialloc Beach Primary School representative

Meeting summaries

Meeting 1 – Tuesday 19 November

The first Mordialloc Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG) meeting was held in person on Tuesday 19 November 2024 at Mordialloc Neighbourhood House. The meeting opened with welcomes, formalities and introductions.

Themes that emerged from SLG member interests in the project included:

• project design
• heritage and local history
• environment and sustainability
• improved connections
• traffic management
• community safety and wellbeing
• trader support
• notification timelines
• stakeholder and community advocacy.

Obligations as per the Terms of Reference were noted. Members were reminded of the purpose of the SLG and their responsibility in representing community views and taking information back to the wider community through their networks.

Members were provided with the June community update.

Project overview

A summary of the project timeline and design was provided. This included information about traffic changes, walking and cycling changes and information about the new Mordialloc Station that will be built as part of the project.

Questions

Several questions were answered throughout the presentation, including about parking, Mordialloc Stabling Yard underpass closure and the existing station building. Some questions were taken on notice due to time constraints. These will be responded to at a future meeting.

Actions

• Project team to share direct links to precinct overview maps.
• Project team to provide more information on the existing station building and its future use.
• Project team to provide further information and visuals about underpass closure.

Meeting 2 – Tuesday 25 February

The second Mordialloc Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG) meeting was held in person on Tuesday 25 February 2025 at Mordialloc Neighbourhood House. The meeting opened with welcomes, formalities and an overview of the previous meeting.

The topics covered at the meeting were:

• works completed in February and upcoming works in March and April
• tree and vegetation removal works
• communication and engagement update.

Members were provided with the January community update, trees and vegetation factsheet and underpass closure factsheet.

Works overview

The project team gave an overview of works in February, and upcoming works in March and April. In February, works included installing temporary fencing and concrete barriers on Albert Street and Nepean Highway and relocating underground utilities, including electricity, gas and water, as well as tree and vegetation removal.

The McDonald Street closure was highlighted as part of upcoming works. Team members took the group through how locals can move around the area while these works take place.

Vegetation and tree removal

The project team acknowledged community feedback and advised that as many trees have been retained as possible through design and construction methodologies.

Team members also discussed that as part of our landscaping plan, more than 1,000 trees and 85,000 plants, shrubs, and grasses will be planted at the end of the project.

Questions

Member questions responded to during the meeting focused on:

• The new slip lane on McDonald Street
• The extent of tree and vegetation removal
• Management of construction impacts
• Project team communication of further disruptions
• The rationale for Mordialloc Stabling Yard underpass closure
• The use of existing station building once the project is complete
• Parking options while works take place.

Some questions were taken on notice due to time constraints. These will be responded to at a future meeting.

Actions

• Project team provided more information about the use of existing station buildings. Action was closed out during the meeting.
• Project team to present Mordialloc Stabling Yard underpass closure overview.
• Project team to provide information about trees and vegetation within the Mordialloc Station precinct.

Meeting 3 – Wednesday 7 May

The third Mordialloc Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG) meeting was held in person on Wednesday 7 May 2025 at Mordialloc Neighbourhood House. The meeting opened with welcomes, formalities and an overview of the previous meeting.

The topics covered at the meeting were:

• works completed in March and April and upcoming works in May
• final design release
• communication and engagement update.

Members were provided with the April community update, local parking changes factsheet, planting and landscaping factsheet, Mordialloc Station factsheet and road changes factsheet.

Works overview

The project team gave an overview of works in March and April, and upcoming works in May.

In March and April, works included the four-week McDonald Street closure to relocate utilities and build a new slip lane onto Nepean Highway, piling throughout the rail corridor, hardstand construction on Nepean Highway and Station Street and site compound establishment at Mordialloc Creek Carpark.

Upcoming works in May include further service relocation (electricity, gas and water), and temporarily relocating the Mordialloc Station bus interchange from the station (west) side of Albert Street to the other side of the road.

Final design release

The team advised that the final designs were released in April, confirming updates to nearby intersections, landscaping and the look and feel of the station precinct.

Members were taken through car parking and road changes in Mordialloc and Aspendale.

Members provided feedback about the final designs, changes to parking , replanting and landscaping and the look and feel of the new station.

Questions

Member questions responded to during the meeting focused on:

• Impacts to trains during works
• Management of construction impacts
• Communication of service relocations by third parties
• Traffic movements once the project is completed
• Landscaping and replanting.

Actions

• Project team to pass on feedback to third party utility companies.
• Project team to provide further information about replanting and landscaping.
• Project team to provide more information about traffic flow post project.

Meeting 4 – Wednesday 23 July

The fourth Mordialloc Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG) meeting was held in person on Wednesday 23 July 2025 at Mordialloc Neighbourhood House. The meeting opened with welcomes, formalities and an overview of the previous meeting.

The topics covered at the meeting were:

• works completed in May, June and July and upcoming major works in August
• permanent closure of Bear Street and the Stabling Yard underpass
• upcoming works in the rail corridor and changes to train timetables.

Works overview

The project team gave an overview of works completed in June and July. This included earthworks, piling and rail bridge works in the rail corridor in Aspendale and road line marking works as part of the McDonald Street closure in Mordialloc.

The project team spoke about ongoing sewer relocation works ongoing in Aspendale, and service relocations, piling, civil, station and road works on Albert Street, Mordialloc.

Upcoming major construction

Members were given an overview of upcoming major construction activities beginning in August.

These works include piling works within the rail corridor, foundation works for the new rail bridges in Aspendale, construction of a hardstand, installation of temporary fencing and the demolition of the existing Parkiteer facility at Mordialloc Station.

Permanent closure of Bear Street and the Mordialloc Stabling Yard underpass

The project team provided information about the upcoming permanent closures of Bear Street at the level crossing and the Mordialloc Stabling Yard underpass.

This included an update that Bear Street will permanently close to traffic between Albert Street and Nepean Highway overnight on Monday 4 August, to facilitate construction of the new station precinct and elevated rail bridges.

Members were informed that the Mordialloc Stabling Yard underpass will permanently close from Monday 18 August to facilitate construction of the new rail bridges and updates to the stabling yard entry/exit points, maintaining the stabling yards capacity.

The project team acknowledged community feedback around these decisions and provided alternative routes for when these closures are in place.

Single line running

Members were provided an overview of how the project will keep Frankston Line passengers moving during major construction, by introducing single line running at Mordialloc Station.

Trains will run in both directions on a single track from Platform 1 during major works from 29 August to mid-2026, reducing the need for planned rail disruptions and rail replacement bus services. Passengers can access Platform 1 via McDonald, Bear and Main streets. The project team explained that passengers can expect minor timetable changes on the Frankston Line, with some reduced services.

Questions

Member questions responded to during the meeting focused on:

• staff operations during single line running
• alternative pedestrian and cycling paths
• management of construction impacts
• parking and no-standing arrangements
• project timing, including new Mordialloc Station opening.

Actions

• Project team to provide further information about management of construction impacts, walking and cycling paths, and vegetation and landscaping plans from other level crossing removal projects
• Project team to confirm accessible parking arrangements at Mordialloc Station during major works
• Project team to pass on feedback to construction team about wayfinding signage and spot checks during construction
• Project team to provide updated Frankston Line timetable information when available
• Project team to increase distribution area for monthly works alerts
• Project team to host a site visit in the coming months for SLG members