Concept designs released

The Victorian Government is closing the level crossing at Anderson Street, Yarraville and building 2 new pedestrian and cycling underpasses to keep the community connected.

Anderson Street is one of 5 level crossings being removed in Melbourne’s inner west, helping to make the Werribee Line level crossing free.

The east side of Anderson Street will be transformed into a pedestrianfriendly community plaza, enhancing the vibrant village atmosphere and creating more open space for outdoor dining. Vehicle access will be retained on the west side of the rail line, through the bus interchange to ensure cars and buses can move safely around the area.

Closing this level crossing and building 2 new architect-designed crossing points for pedestrians and bike riders will enhance the village feel and make it safer, quicker and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to get around, with no more waiting at the boom gates.

The Anderson Street level crossing will be closed and new underpasses will be open in 2029.

We've released concept designs for the Yarraville Station precinct and planning consultation is now open.

Why this level crossing needs to go

• Boom gates are down for up to 56 minutes of the morning peak (7am to 9am)
• Up to 50 trains during the morning peak (7am to 9am)
• One fatality and 4 serious injuries since 2006 and 26 near misses involving trains, pedestrians and vehicles since 2016
• More trains, more often on the Werribee Line thanks to the Metro Tunnel, meaning more boom gate down time

We've released concept designs for the 2 new underpasses and pedestrian-friendly community plaza.

Two new underpasses

Following the closure of Anderson Street at the level crossing, pedestrians and bike riders will be able to safely cross the rail line via one of 2 new underpasses on Anderson Street and near Murray Street.

The Anderson Street underpass will have stairs and lifts on either side of the rail line, providing safe access to the heart of the village. Stairs and lifts have been chosen for this location as they require less space to build, reducing impacts to existing and new community open space opportunities.

The second underpass north of the station near Murray Street will have ramps and stairs, providing a brand-new connection across the rail line and giving bike riders, wheelchair and scooter users and families with prams another option to get around.

New pedestrian friendly community plaza

Creating a car-free, people-focused plaza, on the eastern side of Anderson Street, between Ballarat Street and the rail line, improves safety and enhances Yarraville’s unique and vibrant village feel that you have told us you love. A plaza increases open space to be used for outdoor dining, landscaping, public seating and community celebrations.

Maintaining traffic flow

Drivers accessing the eastern side of Anderson Street will still be able to use Ballarat Street.

On the west side of the rail line, Anderson Street vehicle access will be retained through the bus interchange, ensuring cars and buses can continue to move safely around the area.

We'll replace car parks lost as part of our works within the Canterbury Street car park, which is a short walk to Anderson Street. This ensures there is no net loss of parking in the precinct, something traders and residents have told us is important.

The narrow width of Anderson Street, including businesses and homes directly abutting the road posed challenges in retaining vehicle access.

Our designs avoid significant impacts to homes and businesses and will further add to the village feel which we've heard is so important to locals.

We’ll continue to work with traders, residents, Maribyrnong City Council and the Department of Transport and Planning regarding traffic flow in and around the area, as we progress with refining our project designs.

To learn more about why this is the best solution for Yarraville, see our selecting the best design report.

Please click the image to zoom in.

What we’ve heard so far

Late last year, we asked you to share what you value about your local area, how you move around it, and your ideas for the project. We received a high level of community interest, with over 560 responses to our survey.

Here’s a high-level summary of what we heard:

• You value Yarraville’s unique village feel and strong sense of community.
• Walking is the preferred mode of transport for travel to both the station and Yarraville Village.
• You want the project designs to blend in with and reflect the rich heritage and art-deco character of the area.
• You want to see more open space, with trees, plants and room for community gatherings.

For a detailed overview of what we heard during the consultation period, read the Yarraville Consultation Report.

Earlier this year, we ‘popped-up’ around the area, surveying over 250 locals, and hosted a second round of workshops with traders and residents who live close to the level crossing.

How your feedback has shaped the concept designs

What we heard:

• Vibrant character, village feel and local shops
  • You told us that the village feel is what makes Yarraville special. Yarraville is uniquie and has a strong sense of community

How it has influenced the design:

• We have designed the new underpass at Anderson Street to minimise impacts to the local area ensuring Yarraville’ s unique village character is retained. Our designs will retain the heritage station buildings, interlocking gates, signal box and bus interchange. The underpass is also angled to Anderson Street for a welcoming village connection.

What we heard:

• Green, open space with plenty of outdoor seating
  • We heard that locals would like to see more trees and greenery in the area, including native species

How it has influenced the design:

• Closing Anderson Street to vehicles will create a new pedestrian plaza and provides opportunities to enhance the precinct with new planting and seating while retaining existing green space near the station. We have worked to minimise impacts to trees as part of the design.

What we heard:

• Ease of movement around the area for pedestrians and cyclists

How it has influenced the design:

• Our 2 underpasses will offer stairs, lifts and ramp options. The second crossing point under the rail line will offer more choice, enhance accessibility and allow pedestrians and bike riders to move easily through the village.

What we heard:

• Safe, accessible and welcoming infrastructure for people of all ages and abilities

How it has influenced the design:

• The new open and well lit underpasses will cater for people of all abilities providing options of stairs and lifts at Anderson Street and a ramp and stairs north of Yarraville Station, near Murray Street.

Get involved

Planning approval

Planning approvals for the Anderson Street, Yarraville level crossing removal will be sought from the Minister for Planning under Clause 52.03 (State Rail Projects) of the Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay planning schemes.

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

• project boundary
• construction-related impacts
• environmental management
• amenity
• trees and vegetation removal
• heritage
• urban design
• traffic and aGet ccess
• any other project matters.

Consultation is now open, providing you with an opportunity to formally submit your feedback.

Make a submission

To make a planning submission for the Anderson Street, Yarraville level crossing removal visit Engage Victoria and complete the Yarraville Planning Submission Survey

If you would like a hard copy submission form sent to you, please contact us on 1800 105 105 or email levelcrossings@bigbuild.vic.gov.au

Planning submissions can be made until 11.59pm, Sunday 21 June 2026.

All feedback received will be included in a consultation report, which will inform the Minister for Planning’s assessment of the project.

We are also consulting on the Hudsons Road, Spotswood level crossing removal project. For more information on this project visit Engage Victoria.

Next steps

Meet the project team

Join us at one of our in-person community information sessions to find out more about the project and ask questions.

Community information sessions

• Saturday 30 May, from 9.45am to 11.30am
• Monday 1 June, from 4.45pm to 7.30pm

Sessions will be held at Yarraville Senior Centre, located at 48 Fehon Street in Yarraville.

Register via Trybooking. Registration is required for all sessions.

We’re seeking your feedback on our concept designs

To have your say, visit Engage Victoria and complete the Yarraville Concept Designs Survey.

Survey closes 11.59pm, Sunday 21 June 2026.

If you would like a hard copy submission form sent to you, please contact us on 1800 105 105 or email levelcrossings@bigbuild.vic.gov.au

Project timeline

Mid 2022

• Project announced

Late 2025

• Early community engagement
• Early planning and site investigations

Early 2026

• Key stakeholder and community engagement

Mid-late 2026

• Concept designs released with further consultation
• Contract award

2027

• Final designs released
• Early works

2028

• Major construction

2029

• Anderson Street level crossing closed
• New underpasses open and pedestrian plaza complete

*Timeline subject to change