What we heard

Thank you to everyone who came to out community drop-in sessions and took the time to give feedback on the design of the open space for the Bell to Moreland Level Crossing Removal Project.

We had close to 400 people attend the drop-in sessions, 420 surveys completed and almost 600 comments left on maps of the project area.

From what you told us, some clear themes emerged from the feedback:

• Landscaping, vegetation and trees
• Playgrounds
• Walking and cycling
• Community areas

Next steps

In May and June this year we asked you for your ideas on what you’d like to see in the open space. You can view a summary of what we heard on our website.

This latest round of feedback will feed into our design process. Along with feedback from key stakeholders, your feedback will help us refine the final design for the open space.

We’ll be coming back out to the community with final designs in early 2020.

Landscaping and vegetation

You told us you wanted to see landscaping and vegetation included throughout the new open space, not just in the station precincts.

The clear preference was for landscaped areas to have an Australian native look and feel. You also suggested plant species should be drought tolerant and easy to maintain.

Playgrounds

The clear preference from your feedback was to make sure the project retained playgrounds in their current locations, close to each station.

You said you want these areas built of natural elements, with logs, rocks and vegetation used in the design.

Feedback also highlighted that playgrounds should be accessible to all, and separated from the bike path for safety.

You told us you want to see areas where people can meet and spend time. Features such as barbecues and drinking fountains would make these spaces more attractive for picnics and gatherings.

Community areas

Over 75 per cent of people supported including areas along the corridor that could be used for multiple purposes. Using these areas for market, picnics and community events were popular suggestions.

When asked about public art, your feedback highlighted a clear preference for functional art that reflects the local culture and Indigenous heritage.

Walking and cycling

Water fountains and bike parking where the most popular features to include along the new bike path.

Safety was also a strong theme in your feedback.

You suggested we keep bike paths separate from other open spaces, and ensure the safety of pedestrians in areas where cycling and walking paths meet.