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.

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. The new station will feature modern facilities and spaces for the community.

The removal of the Webb Street level crossing will help make the Pakenham line boom gate free by 2025.

Building a new rail bridge will ease congestion for the 13,200 vehicles that pass through the crossing each day and make it safer and easier for drivers, pedestrians and bike riders to move around.

When planning for the project we work with qualified arborists, as well as sustainability and environmental specialists, to minimise the impacts to local flora and fauna.

Minimising tree and vegetation removal is a priority as we develop designs and during construction.

To prepare for the start of construction in late 2022, we need to relocate utilities, set up our site facilities and remove vegetation in areas impacted by the works. We’ll also establish protection zones around trees and vegetation that will remain.

Assessing trees and vegetation

Independent arborists assessed trees around Webb Street, Narre Warren Station and the rail corridor to determine:

• structure, including size and location of tree roots
• health and life expectancy
• amenity, significance and retention value
• location of services and construction works in proximity to trees.

Why we need to remove trees and vegetation

To build the elevated rail bridge, new station and car parking, we need to install new infrastructure and relocate existing power, communications, and water services.

This means we will need to remove trees and vegetation.

Most trees and vegetation being removed are within the rail corridor and around the station precinct.

We’ll plant two trees or plants for every one that is removed.

Minimising tree removal

Reducing tree removal is a priority for the project.

An arborist assessment has been conducted along the rail corridor and incorporated into the design to reduce the number of trees that need to be removed.

Every effort is made to protect and reduce impacts to native vegetation, threatened potential habitat for threatened flora and fauna as well as Aboriginal cultural heritage and European heritage areas.

When tree and vegetation removal is unavoidable, we’ll reuse that timber and mulch throughout the project.

Future landscaping and replanting

Based on community feedback collected in March, we know that landscaped areas are important to you.

New plantings and landscaping are an important part of the final design for Narre Warren Station. Landscaping works will take place near the end of the project when major construction is complete.

We’ll share more information about the landscaping, including the kinds of trees and plants, as the project progresses.

Protecting existing vegetation

All vegetation being retained will be separated from construction with no-go zones which protect the vegetation from construction impacts, above and below the ground.

Wildlife

Before tree and vegetation removal, we work with wildlife handlers who inspect for wildlife and safely rehome any fauna we may encounter.

Stay up to date on our works

Text WEBB to 0427 840 967 to receive real-time notifications about works that may impact you.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about upcoming project works, call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au