Getting ready for construction

The Victorian Government has fast tracked the removal of 22 dangerous level crossings on the Pakenham Line, including one at Brunt Road, Beaconsfield. The works will make the Pakenham Line boom gate-free by 2025.

Early works are underway to remove the dangerous and congested level crossing at Brunt Road by building an elevated road bridge over the Pakenham Line.

Before construction of the new road overpass can begin, some tree and vegetation removal will be required along Brunt Road and near the rail corridor.

This work will happen in stages. The first phase will start in early 2023, with the removal of shrubs, and any required trees, from the rail corridor in preparation for works.

Stage 2 will take place in March 2023 when major works begin, to construct the new road bridge.

As part of the project, we'll be planting around 100 new trees and 50,000 shrubs and grasses within the project area.

Managing tree and vegetation removal

We heard how important trees and vegetation are to the local community and every effort has been made to minimise the impact of our works on local vegetation.

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

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

A qualified ecologist was commissioned to conduct a biodiversity assessment to inform the initial design. This helped identify the extent and type of vegetation within the project area and inform key design considerations to minimise impacts on vegetation.

An independent arborist assessment during the detailed design phase helped guide this process, identifying the ecological and local significance of the trees within the project area.

This assessment helped us identify which trees pose a hazard to road and rail operations. Understanding root systems and health of trees is also crucial to identifying what trees can be retained and protected.

All trees and vegetation being removed are directly impacted by new infrastructure.

What are offsets?

Offsets account for biodiversity losses arising from native vegetation removal.

An offset could be the ongoing protection and management of:

• a patch of native vegetation
• one or more scattered trees, or
• an area of revegetation.

Protecting existing vegetation

Tree Protection Zones (TPZs) will be established to protect the remaining trees. TPZs protect the above and below ground parts of a tree during the construction phase.

No Go Zones (NGZs) are also used to protect vegetation, habitat zones, heritage sites and waterways from the impacts of construction.

What happens with removed trees and vegetation?

Where possible large logs and mulch will be used for landscaping and donated to local community groups, the council and local schools.

Replanting and Landscaping

Tree planting and landscaping will take place once major construction works are completed in 2025.

As part of the project, we'll be planting around 100 new trees and 50,000 shrubs and grasses within the project area

More information including landscaping plans and what’s being planted in your neighbourhood will be shared with the community as the project progresses.