We acknowledge that Maribyrnong City Council has requested a pause to aspects of the Anderson Street project while certain matters are considered. As elected representatives of the local community, councillors have a role to advocate for community views and interests.
The Project is continuing through the established planning, design and approvals processes, which provide the appropriate mechanisms to consider Council and community feedback and determine how those issues can be addressed.
In short, no assessments have been missed and the Anderson Street, Yarraville level crossing removal project would meet the relevant major transport project declaration guidelines under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 (MTPFA).
Under Victoria's Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009, additional project scope can be added to an existing declared project where there is a sufficient connection between the works.
The Victorian Government has approved the removal of the Anderson Street level crossing in Yarraville as part of the Hudsons Road, Spotswood Level Crossing Removal Project.
Both level crossings are located close to each other on the Werribee Line and can be delivered efficiently through the same project. Delivering the works together means the project team can coordinate planning, construction and rail shutdowns (occupations), helping to minimise disruptions for passengers and the local community. The projects will also be delivered by the same construction team, allowing works to be completed as efficiently as possible.
The Anderson Street level crossing removal has a clear geographic, operational and delivery connection to the Hudsons Road project, and was recommended and then subsequently formally approved to be delivered as part of the same project.
This approach supports a more coordinated delivery of important transport improvements for Melbourne's west while reducing impacts on rail services and the community. It does not change the assessment or classification of Anderson Street as a major transport project and it is still subject to the same consultation and planning approval process.
Construction will commence in early 2027.
Designs for all level crossings are assessed and developed by teams of technical experts including engineers and construction specialists, who work to determine the best solution for each location and the best outcomes for the community.
We’ve undertaken three rounds of community consultation comprising four community workshops and four information sessions with residents and traders and 1200 surveys completed.
The project team is currently reviewing feedback from the third round of community consultation that ended in July, with responses from more than 600 survey submissions to be incorporated in the final designs where possible. Final designs will be released prior to construction starting in early 2027.
In August 2026, we released ‘Choosing the best design for the pedestrian and cycling underpasses in Yarraville’ report which provides information about the new underpasses and the constraints and considerations that helped to determine the locations.
As part of the planning approval process, community members and other interested parties were invited to submit a planning submission via an online survey or hard copy form. Submissions were open for feedback between 17 May and 5 July 2026.
Submissions were sought on a range of planning matters including environmental management, project boundary, heritage impacts, amenity, construction impacts, traffic and access, and urban design.
A consultation summary report and project boundary plan were submitted to the Minister for Planning in accordance with Clause 52.03 (State Rail Projects) of the Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong Planning Schemes. The consultation summary report and project boundary plan for the Project has now been approved.
While we try to avoid impacts to homes and businesses, sometimes the design solution and constraints make it unavoidable.
Due to the space required to accommodate and construct the new infrastructure, these 2 businesses which operate on VicTrack-owned land near Yarraville Station will also be impacted. As part of leasing arrangements, tenants and business operators are aware that land may be required for future rail purposes.
We understand how much the community values these businesses and we are working with the owners to provide support.
Removing level crossings is complex. Each site is unique and there are a range of detailed technical and engineering requirements that must be considered in selecting the best removal option for each site. This includes topography, property constraints, and stakeholder engagement.
Designs for all level crossings are developed and assessed by teams of technical experts including engineers and construction specialists to determine the best solution for each location and the best outcomes for each community.
Our project scope includes implementing most recommendations of an economic assessment report commissioned by Maribyrnong City Council, projected to help boost trader sales in the precinct by up to 12 per cent.
