We're also building a new walking and cycling path along Ellesmere Parade from Ruthven Street to Davies Street. With this brand new connection, locals will be able to enjoy over 2kms of walking and cycling paths from Macleod to Rosanna.

A new signalised and raised pedestrian crossing near the rail bridge will provide safer, more direct connections for everyone crossing Ruthven Street.

Removing the level crossing will cut almost half an hour of boom gate down time during the morning peak, saving travel time for around 12,600 drivers each weekday.

With Macleod and Rosanna level crossing free, it will also improve safety, reduce congestion and deliver more reliable travel times, building on the benefits unlocked by the North East Link Project.

Early works are underway and construction will start later this year, with the boom gates gone for good and the trains running on the new bridge next year.

New landscaping for Macleod and Rosanna

We’ll plant over 25,500 trees, shrubs, flowering plants and grasses, including 2 new trees for every tree we remove.

Caring for the environment and community

We heard how important the parklands, trees, plants and wildlife are to the Macleod and Rosanna community. Minimising tree and vegetation removal and impacts to wildlife habitat is a priority for the project.

We work with independent arborists and sustainability specialists across all our projects to minimise vegetation removal and manage the impacts on flora and fauna.

Some vegetation trimming and removal is required to:

• support construction of the new rail bridge and walking and cycling path
• accommodate new rail and road infrastructure
• relocate and install drainage, utilities and essential cables and services and to avoid existing utilities and services
• maintain safety clearance requirements'
• provide temporary space for construction offices, machinery and equipment.

Vegetation removal will start in June. Most of the impacted vegetation and trees will likely be in and around where the new rail bridge and path will be built.

To minimise impacts to Rosanna Parklands, most of the rail bridge will be built from Ellesmere Parade.

To safely build the rail bridge, we will work in the parklands at times. When construction is completed, we'll reinstate all work areas with new landscaping.

How did the project team determine which trees will be removed?

As part of our planning, independent arborists and environmental experts have assessed all trees and vegetation in the project area to determine:

• the structural integrity, size and location of tree roots
• health and life expectancy of trees
• amenity and environmental value
• location of utility services in proximity to trees
• presence of wildlife and habitat.

As the project progresses, we’ll continue reviewing our design and construction methods and assess the health of trees and vegetation during our works to retain as many as possible.

Any trees and vegetation that can be safely retained will be protected during construction.

We've worked closely with these experts to develop designs and construction methods that retain as many trees and shrubs as possible.

Landscaping

During vision and values and early design consultations, we heard you want more landscaping, with native or indigenous plantings that blend into the local environment. You also told us you prefer a natural and integrated style of landscaping.

The project includes new landscaping along the new walking and cycling path on Ellesmere Parade and near the rail bridge with a diverse range of native and indigenous trees, shrubs and flowering plants to complement the existing landscaping and geology of the area.

The new landscaped community space in Rosanna Parklands also features natural log seating, rock borders and native plantings that will integrate into the parkland.

As there is limited space to plant within the project area due to the new rail infrastructure, some trees may be planted outside the project area, increasing tree canopy in the community. We'll work with Banyule City Council to identify suitable locations for these trees.

The project will partner with qualified landscapers to undertake a detailed program of monitoring and maintenance. Regular assessments of the new plantings will continue to determine its health and viability.

The project will 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 Banyule City Council or Metro Trains.

• Purple Coral-pea
• Coral Gum
• Wrinkled Daisy-bush
• Dwarf Yellow Gum
• Silver Banksia
• Black She-oak
• Black Wattle
• Sweet Bursaria
• Kangaroo Grass

Protected species

There are environmental significant species within the project area. We’ve worked to minimise and mitigate impacts to these species and have obtained the necessary approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

Looking out for wildlife

We work with fauna handlers who inspect trees and vegetation, and safely rehome any fauna before tree and vegetation removal.

These fauna handlers will be on site during any vegetation removal works to safely relocate any wildlife we may encounter unexpectedly.

We also have fauna handlers on-call in case we encounter any wildlife during our works.

We'll also establish no-go zones to protect habitats and help keep local wildlife safe during works.

Repurposing trees for the community

We'll work closely with Banyule City Council and local community groups to ensure that removed vegetation is repurposed for new uses or environmental initiatives.

• Donating logs or timber to community groups, gardens, schools and artists.
• Creating mulch for landscaping and revegetation.
• Incorporating reclaimed timber into landscaping.

More information

• Call us 24/7 on 1800 105 105
• Email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
• Subscribe to the Ruthven Street, Macleod email updates
• Send us a private message on our Level Crossing Removal Project Facebook page