We're building a new walking and cycling path along Ellesmere Parade from Ruthven Street to Davies Street. Along the path we’ll plant new trees, shrubs, flowering plants and grasses, as close as possible to where vegetation has been removed.
We’re also creating a new community space in Rosanna Parklands, where the community can gather and relax.
The new landscaped community space in Rosanna Parklands will also feature natural log seating, rock borders and native plantings that will integrate into the parkland. The logs used for the seating will come from trees removed in the local area.
Once construction is complete, we'll reinstate areas used to build the rail bridge and new rail infrastructure and the walking and cycling path. This will include planting and landscaping along the rail corridor, in Rosanna Parklands, and around Macleod Park oval.
Finishing works for the walking and cycling path, including landscaping and reinstatement works will start in 2027.
We will partner with qualified landscapers to undertake a detailed program of monitoring and maintenance. Regular assessments of the planting will continue to determine its health and viability. The project will monitor the area for 2 years to ensure that all vegetation is healthy, established and maintained. This approach supports long-term health and sustainability.
After 2 years, the maintenance will then be transferred to the appropriate authority such as Banyule City Council or Metro Trains.
Early works are underway. We’ve set up site offices and work areas, relocated overhead and underground utilities, and started foundation works for retaining walls and overhead structures.
From late September, we'll establish our main construction support area and site facilities on Macleod Park oval. Once these facilities are in place, major construction will begin on the new rail bridge and upgrades to the Macleod College oval.
In early 2027, buses will replace trains for about a month while we carry out most of the works to remove the level crossing and build the new rail bridge over Ruthven Street. We’ll share more information on these disruptions later this year.
Once these works are finished , trains will be running on the new rail bridge and the level crossing will be removed.
Construction of the new walking and cycling path on Ellesmere Parade will start in mid 2027.
We'll complete project works by landscaping and reinstating areas we used for construction. We'll also carry out Macleod Park oval upgrades throughout 2027.
We'll plant 2 new trees for every tree we remove.
As there is limited space to plant within the project area due to the new rail infrastructure, some trees will be planted outside the project area, increasing tree canopy in the community. We're working with Banyule City Council to identify suitable locations for these trees.
We have worked with Banyule City Council's Urban Forestry team, along with the project's urban designers and landscape architects, to develop a proposed planting palette for Rosanna Parklands, Ellesmere Parade and surrounding areas.
The proposed planting prioritises indigenous and native species that are suited to the local environment, are drought tolerant and low maintenance, and will help create new habitat for local wildlife.
Indigenous plants are species that naturally occurred in the area before development, while native plants are Australian species from other parts of the country. Both contribute to greener, more resilient landscapes, with indigenous species playing an important role in supporting local biodiversity and reflecting the area's natural character.
A mix of trees, shrubs, flowering plants, grasses and groundcovers will create layered planting that supports wildlife habitat, improves visual amenity and helps integrate the rail corridor into the surrounding landscape.
When selecting grasses and groundcovers, we consider how spaces will be used. Their low profile improves safety by ensuring safe sightlines for pedestrians and bike riders while providing important habitat and greenery throughout the year.
When selecting shrubs, we consider their suitability to the local environment, the habitat they provide, their mature size and their contribution to the area's ecological values.
When selecting tree species, we consider factors such as mature height, canopy size and planting location. The new planting of semi-mature trees will establish over time. We’ll plant tree species that will provide long-term canopy and screening benefits.
Some areas are constrained by overhead and underground services, including power, drainage and communications infrastructure, which influences the types of trees that can be planted. Along Ellesmere Parade, the trees that are replanted will be species that are more suitable for growing under the overhead powerlines.
We have worked closely with Banyule City Council and landscape architects to identify tree species that are appropriate for the area and suited to local conditions.
Indigenous plants are species that naturally occurred in the area before development, while native plants are Australian species from other parts of the country. Both contribute to greener, more resilient landscapes, with indigenous species playing an important role in supporting local biodiversity and reflecting the area's natural character.
In some areas of the landscaping design, native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and groundcovers may be more suitable compared to indigenous species equivalents.
We have worked with Banyule City Council's Urban Forestry team, along with the project's urban designers and landscape architects, to develop a proposed planting palette for Rosanna Parklands, Ellesmere Parade and surrounding areas. The proposed planting prioritises indigenous and native species that are suited to the local environment, are drought tolerant and low maintenance, and will help create new habitat for local wildlife.