The West Gate Tunnel Project is more than a road, we are also delivering new cycling and walking paths and creating nearly nine hectares of new open space. This open space will be made up of parks and wetlands, and over 17,000 trees will be planted along the project corridor.

Along the West Gate Freeway and around the Kororoit Creek area of the project, we will create a greener and better-connected west by:

• completing the missing link in the Kororoit Creek walking and cycling path with a direct connection to the Federation Trail
• celebrating the historical significance of the original bluestone bridge on Old Geelong Road via interpretive signage which will express the bridge’s heritage, cultural significance and contribution to the Kororoit Creek Trail
• highlighting the importance of the indigenous landscape of the creek through signage identifying significant species and their uses
• creating rest stops with seating and signage, set amidst Indigenous plantings of grasses and woodland species along the walking and cycling path
• planting woodland tree species to increase tree canopy cover for the area.

Kororoit Creek

Tree and plant species

A selection of native grasses, trees, ground covers and shrubs, will green and colour the Kororoit Creek and walking and cycling path connecting to the Federation Trail.

A variety of Eucalyptus trees including the River Red Gum will rise 30 metres in the sky providing canopy cover 15m wide, while ground covers including the Native Pigface and Common Everlasting will provide a burst of purple and yellow amongst the landscape.

Designing open space

The open space landscape design has been shaped by:

• improving the Kororoit Creek walking and cycling path by resurfacing existing sections and filling in gaps with new path, creating better connections
• improving public safety by providing clearer sightlines throughout the area
• refining plant species chosen to highlight the different indigenous vegetation classes, and enhance biodiversity and habitat along the creek corridor
• planting locations to maximise tree canopy cover and enhance biodiversity and habitat along the creek corridor
• minimising ecological disturbance by taking existing plants and habitats within the Kororoit Creek corridor into account.

Working with stakeholders

After years of talking with communities, local authorities and our Community Liaison Groups, we understand that landscaping is of great interest to locals.

Feedback indicates that community members are keen to see vegetation replaced quickly, with a focus on native plants that will complement and adapt well to the existing local environment, and provide a green visual screen in a range of areas, including near new noise walls.

Residents are also keen to see the project construction sites transform into open spaces for the community, creating new recreation areas along the project corridor. We will continue to work with local authorities and the community as we build the new open space.