Newport stakeholder meeting summary

5 June 2024

We hosted a key stakeholder meeting on Wednesday 8 May as part of engagement program for the Newport level crossing removals. Other community engagement activities included in-person information sessions and a webinar to promote and encourage participation in the community survey and planning consultation.

The key stakeholder meeting was led by an independent facilitator.

The meeting allowed interested parties and community organisations to hear more about the unique challenges of the Champion Road level crossing from subject matter experts.

The project team was given 10 minutes to present the most recent project information, including the recently confirmed alignment of the Akuna Drive link road and further details around the pedestrian bridge at Champion Road.

Keep Champion Road Open was given 10 minutes to make comments and share information on the group’s perspective.

Organisations and people in attendance:

Level Crossing Removal Project
Metro Trains Melbourne
VicTrack
Stantec
GHD
Bicycle Network
AusNet
MP for Williamstown
Hobsons Bay City Council
Keep Champion Road Open
Members of the LXRP Stakeholder Liaison Group

Below are questions that were submitted to the project team prior to the meeting or asked during the session. Similar questions have been grouped together.

First and foremost, safety is the number one priority. Removing level crossings eliminates interaction between trains, drivers, pedestrians and bike riders.

It’s also critical to support other projects. The Metro Tunnel is on track to open in 2025, a year ahead of schedule allowing for more trains, more often on the Werribee Line. When more trains run on the Werribee Line, the boom gates will be down longer.

The Victorian Government has committed to making Melbourne’s busiest train lines level crossing free as a key strategic priority to ensure the safety and reliability of the entire metropolitan train network.

Level crossing removal projects also bring upgraded infrastructure such as new track and signalling. This provides an opportunity to replace older and less efficient infrastructure, reducing the likelihood of faults on the network and improving overall service delivery on the line.

We also expect a service uplift and enhancements over coming years to meet growing demand on the rail network.

Avoiding impacts to major pipelines

Critical underground services are located close to the level crossing, including the pipelines that provide fuel to Melbourne Airport.

Maintaining access to Newport Train Stabling Yards and freight network

We need to minimise impacts to the Newport Train Stabling Yards that keep the Metropolitan rail network running.

Saving residential property

Due to the existing road alignment and roundabout near the crossing, road solutions are not feasible as they would require acquisition of homes.

We’re still in the early stages of design development. We’re currently investigating new pedestrian connections along the link road and more information will be available later in the year.

We’re at the early stages of the design for the new link road at Akuna Drive.

The new intersection will be delivered in accordance with relevant Australian Standards, consistent with all major transport projects delivered as part of the Victorian Government’s Big Build.

We’re in the early stages of design development and as we progress design workshops and independent road safety audits will be undertaken to ensure the new intersection will operate safely. The new link road will maintain existing pedestrian and cycling connections along Maddox Road.

We have explored the option of using pads but unfortunately due to the width of the corridor and need to build 2 separate bridges (one for passenger trains and one for freight trains) there isn’t enough space. Additionally, the location of the pipelines running through the area, limits design options.

Yes, this was considered during the optioneering phase of the project.

This solution is not feasible due to:

impacts to property access for residents and traders, causing extensive land acquisition of residential and commercial properties
impacts to future road, rail, industrial and residential development
increased visual amenity impacts for residents due to the size of the road bridge.

The Level Crossing Removal Project does not release technical reports. Technical engineering assessments can be hard to interpret in isolation which is why we look to provide information about the outcomes of our assessments through community newsletters, reports and community information sessions.

We're still carrying out traffic studies to inform the detailed design for the new link road, more information will be available later in the year.

For more information about on changes to the way you travel, see our fact sheet.

As part of the project, we’ll build a new pedestrian bridge across the rail line at Champion Road. This new connection will meet modern standards and be accessible for everyone in the community, allowing more space for those with mobility aids, prams and bicycles to cross the rail line.

We’ll also build a shared walking and cycling path on Railway Parade connecting to the existing path on Market Street, making it safer for people to move around the area.

We aim to minimise disruptions on local community and traders as much as possible. It is early days for this project, and we’ll be sharing more information about what to expect as the project progresses.

We’ll be working closely with residents and traders near the crossings and have a range of tools to provide support in the lead up and during major construction.

One of the benefits of a rail over road solution at Maddox Road, is that it means fewer road and rail disruptions.

Minimising construction noise is something we take seriously. This includes thinking about when we schedule noisy works, providing notice to residents and in some cases providing relocation or other respite options for eligible properties.

We’re not able to confirm site office locations at this stage. When we have confirmed details we will provide information to the community via a community newsletter.

As we are in the early design stages of the project, it is too early to confirm the noise impacts however anything we build will comply with relevant standards

At Maddox Road, the Metro Train passenger train tracks with frequent services will be further away from residential properties. These trains will be travelling at speed on the rail bridge and do not need to slow down or stop near private properties at Maddox Road.