How you’ve influenced the designs

Works are continuing to remove the dangerous and congested level crossings at Manchester Road, Mooroolbark, and Maroondah Highway, Lilydale.

The rail bridge design will minimise construction time and also reduce disruption to the Lilydale line and 53,000 vehicles that pass through Manchester Road and Maroondah Highway level crossings each day.

Community feedback plays an important role in developing designs, including shaping local connections, landscaping, new open spaces, and what the new rail infrastructure will look like.

We spoke to hundreds of passengers, road users, traders and local residents to gather feedback on the negotiable aspects of the design.

How we engaged with the community

Concept designs were shared with the community via information sessions, pop-up stalls, one-on-one meetings and online surveys.

Over 500 pieces of written feedback were received, along with verbal feedback provided in individual discussions. This feedback, along with ongoing discussions with key stakeholders, informed the final designs for both level crossings removals.

What we heard

Recognising local history in the design

Red bricks in Lilydale

At Lilydale, we heard from members of the Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG) about the historical importance of red bricks to the area. Thanks to their feedback, designs were amended to acknowledge Lilydale’s link to red bricks and create continuity between the old station and the new.

The red brick will now be used to create seating near the existing Lilydale Station building. The vicinity of the heritage-listed building provides the perfect setting for the bricks for years to come.

A commemorative wall for Mooroolbark

Community feedback has shaped artwork for a commemorative wall at the new Mooroolbark Station precinct.

We heard from people who live, work, visit or have some attachment to Mooroolbark about how best to portray the town’s history on the wall. This feedback will be used to create a design that reflects and celebrates Mooroolbark’s history from a local perspective.

The commemorative wall will be located by the bus bays at Mooroolbark Station and installed towards the end of the project.

Station look and feel

Local input identified that the new rail bridges and station designs should complement the existing characteristics of Mooroolbark and Lilydale.

In response, we adopted an architectural approach that acknowledges the softer and earthier tones of the local area, with weathered-look steel, zinc and Coldstream stone.

Our concept designs reflected this approach and were well received, with 82% of people surveyed happy or very happy with the designs.

Landscaping

You told us that the new landscaping design should connect with the local character and the natural environment of Mooroolbark and Lilydale.

We’ve made landscaping selections based on the characteristics of the area, existing vegetation and sight lines to the station precinct.

Passenger parking at Mooroolbark

At Mooroolbark, we’re building a new multi-deck car park that will contribute to doubling car parking to 900 spaces, making it easier for commuters to find a park.

Early concept designs showed 2 exits, one onto Manchester Road and the other onto Brice Avenue.

We refined the design following community feedback and further traffic modelling.

The multi-deck car park entrance and exit will now be accessed from Manchester Road, Mooroolbark with an additional right turn exit lane. This eliminates the need for a separate exit onto Brice Avenue.

This design update allows us to maintain existing car parks on the south side of Brice Avenue and also create additional timed car parks for shoppers on the north side.

Open space

Open spaces will be created underneath the new rail bridges at Mooroolbark and Lilydale.

Community feedback overwhelmingly showed support for an informal gathering space at Mooroolbark and Lilydale – see Figure 1 and 2.

As part of the final designs, we will be building vibrant gathering spaces to activate areas and provide seating for the community.

How we’ve engaged so far

Community engagement is a priority for the project team.

To date, we have regularly met with the 2 Stakeholder Liaison Groups, traders, local residents and community groups. We will continue to provide frequent community updates throughout the project's construction phase.

If you have any questions about the project, call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au where feedback can be provided directly.

Project timeline

Mid 2019

• Community engagement
• Project planning
• Preferred designs identified

Late 2019

• Designs solutions finalised

Mid 2020

• Detailed designs progressed
• Construction starts

Late 2020

• Major work starts
• Final stations and landscaping designs

2022

• Level crossings removed

* Timeline above subject to change.