8 March 2022

Share your feedback

As part of the Victorian Government's commitment to removing 85 dangerous and congested level crossings, we're removing the level crossing at Webb Street, Narre Warren.

The Webb Street level crossing removal is part of a $15 billion investment to upgrade the Pakenham Line, which will be boom gate free by 2025.

We’ll remove the level crossing by building a new elevated rail bridge over Webb Street. We’ll also build a new Narre Warren Station, with modern facilities for the community.

Elevating the rail line will relieve congestion on Webb Street, making it safer and easier for drivers, pedestrians and bike riders to move around.

Removing the level crossing will help create a level crossing free Pakenham Line, which will change how locals live, work and travel by delivering a safer and more reliable road network, better connections and improved travel times.

Construction is scheduled to start in late 2022 and the level crossing will be removed by 2025.


We are inviting community feedback on the vision and values for the area, how you move around the station precinct and the early concept designs.

To register for one of our community consultation sessions in March and to share your feedback on the Webb Street level crossing removal project, visit our online engagement hub at engage.vic.gov.au/lxrp-webb-street


Why does the level crossing need to go?

  • 19 near miss incidents have been recorded at the level crossing since 2012.
  • The boom gates can be down for up to 40 minutes of the morning peak when up to 25 trains pass through the crossing every day.
  • Delays for about 13,200 vehicles that pass through the crossing each day.

Up and over Webb Street

Concept designs for the new rail bridge over Webb Street and improved Narre Warren Station are now available for the community to view.

The design solution for the Webb Street rail bridge and new station takes into consideration the area’s unique set of characteristics, opportunities and limitations. We have undertaken technical investigations and considered environmental and community factors to develop the best solution for the area.

The elevated rail bridge over the road design in this location will reduce rail and road disruptions and construction impacts to residents and businesses during the works.

The new Narre Warren station will have elevated platforms, which commuters will be able to access via lifts and stairs. The 2 new platforms will feature shelter and lighting.

The project design will improve connections within the Narre Warren precinct by featuring a more integrated transport hub, and improved public space.

Drainage

Drainage is an important part of railway infrastructure design. That’s especially true for Narre Warren, which has a high water table and can be prone to flooding. We have expert hydrologists working as part of the team to ensure local flooding, drainage and run-off issues are considered.


Help us shape the project by telling us about your vision and values for the area and how you move around. Register for one of our consultation sessions and lodge your feedback on our online engagement hub for Webb Street.


Project Benefits

  • Improved safety and connections for road users, pedestrians and bike riders.
  • Easing congestion and slashing travel times.
  • Providing relief for the 13,200 vehicles that pass through the crossing each day.
  • New modern facilities at Narre Warren Station.
  • Making way for more trains to run more often.
  • Making it easier for people to move around the area.
  • Stimulate economic growth by creating hundreds of jobs.

Cultural heritage assessments

As part of our projects, we undertake cultural heritage assessments to determine and consider any possible impacts of proposed construction activities on Traditional Owner Cultural heritage. Our assessments identify opportunities to reduce any potential cultural heritage impacts through design and construction refinements.

To do this, we engage a cultural heritage advisor, prepare a Cultural Heritage Management Plan in accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage Protection Act 2006, as well as engage with the Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP). This is followed by an on-the-ground field study.

The next step is to assess the extent to which our proposed design and construction approach could impact on heritage values and explore how any negative effects can be avoided, minimised or managed.


Planning approvals

Planning approval for this project will proceed under Clause 52.03 – Level Crossing Removal Project of the Casey Planning Scheme.

The Level Crossing Removal Project is seeking community feedback on a range of planning matters, including:

  • the proposed project boundary
  • construction-related environmental, heritage and amenity impacts
  • native vegetation
  • management of potential impacts
  • other project matters.

All feedback received will be included in a consultation summary report.

This report will inform the Minister for Planning’s assessment of the project under Clause 52.03.

The formal consultation period is now open, and you can provide your feedback.

The Webb Street level crossing removal project consultation period is now open. Survey responses and planning submissions can be lodged online at engage.vic.gov.au/lxrp-webb-street

If you prefer to fill in a hard copy of the survey, please contact us on 1800 105 105 and we will mail a form to you. All submissions must be received by 11.59pm Sunday 27 March.


Have your say

You're invited to give feedback on what’s important to help us deliver a project that reflects what locals love about the Narre Warren area.

We'd love to hear your feedback on:

  • vision, values and how you move around the area
  • early concept design.

Your feedback will help us develop the final design for the project.

To register for one of our virtual community consultation sessions or to provide feedback on the project, visit our online engagement hub for Webb Street.


Next steps

The elevated rail bridge and new station design is progressing, but we still need to complete further technical assessments and gather community input to refine the design.

To do this we will:

  • consider feedback from the community to refine the design
  • continue working with other authorities on possible future plans for the local road network
  • focus on ways to manage and minimise the impacts of construction on the community and the local environment
  • continue our technical assessments to ensure the best design outcome is delivered.

Later in 2022, investigation teams will work in and around the rail corridor with equipment like trucks and small drilling rigs to undertake further site investigations. We will notify nearby residences and businesses about this upcoming work.


Stay up to date

Be the first to know about updates on the Webb Street level crossing removal by signing up for regular email updates.


Project timeline

2021 – early 2022

  • Early investigations

Early 2022

  • Design solution confirmed
  • Site investigations continue
  • Concept designs released and community engagement

Mid 2022

  • Final designs released and further community engagement

Late 2022

  • Major construction starts

2025

  • Level crossing removed

Timeline subject to change.