Melbourne Airport Rail is a transformational public transport project connecting to Victoria’s regional and metropolitan network with trains to run from Melbourne Airport through Sunshine Station and the Metro Tunnel.

Rail Projects Victoria (RPV) is overseeing the delivery of Melbourne Airport Rail and has a team of design, engineering and construction experts working on the development and delivery of the project.

This fact sheet outlines how we will manage potential impacts to heritage during construction of Melbourne Airport Rail.

Melbourne’s heritage is unique, and specialist investigations into historical and Aboriginal cultural heritage are providing an understanding of the Melbourne Airport Rail project area.

The word ‘heritage’ reflects a special kind of value given to a place. Heritage is our inheritance from past generations and there are reminders of Melbourne’s rich cultural history all around our city.

Aboriginal heritage

Aboriginal heritage includes culturally and spiritually significant places for past and present Aboriginal communities. These continue to be places of spiritual and community activity today and include sacred sites, ceremonial sites, scarred trees, campsites and settlements, and places important to stories and traditions.

Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) are required when high impact activities are planned in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity, as defined by the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018.

In these areas, work cannot take place unless a CHMP has been approved for the activity. CHMPs outline measures that need to be taken to ensure that Victoria’s Aboriginal cultural heritage is recognised and safeguarded as projects are built.

Our cultural heritage advisors are developing CHMPs in consultation with the relevant Registered Aboriginal Parties to identify and minimise impacts to cultural heritage on Melbourne Airport Rail.

Historic heritage

Historic, or ‘built heritage’, includes places and objects dating from the years of Melbourne’s post-contact history, including buildings, monuments, gardens and designed landscapes, and industrial and archaeological sites.

Melbourne Airport Rail construction activities and new infrastructure will be located near places of historical significance. Heritage experts carry out assessments to identify historic heritage sites and heritage-listed assets within the project area. This includes the following places that are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register:

• H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens
• John Darling & Son Flour Mill (1922/1926)
• Albion Viaduct rail bridge (1927-29) over the Maribyrnong River Valley

The Albion substation (1915-16) is also listed locally under the Brimbank Council register.

We will continue to work with Heritage Victoria to determine appropriate measures to protect heritage sites and seek relevant approvals where required.

The Maribyrnong River Valley and surrounds holds significant spiritual and cultural value.

*Subject to relevant Victorian and Federal planning, environmental and other government approvals.