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.

At the Whitehall Street and Maribyrnong River areas, we will deliver a greener and better-connected west by:

• turning industrial land into new open space and wetlands
• providing a new, naturalised environment that directly links Yarraville Gardens to new open spaces via the new walking and cycling path over Whitehall Street and down to the Maribyrnong River
• retaining elements of the former rail alignment to Maribyrnong Street and the walking and cycling path, celebrating its heritage through interpretive wayfinding design
• retaining the existing anchor sculpture on Maribyrnong Street at the Maribyrnong River as a symbol of the area’s historic river trade.

Whitehall Street and Maribyrnong River

Tree and plant species

A selection of mostly native grasses, trees, ground covers and shrubs, will green and colour the landscape and wetlands at the Yarraville Gardens and Maribyrnong River crossings.

Designer open space

The Whitehall Street landscape design has been shaped by:

• integrating interpretive art on the boardwalk and providing a lookout space for views west across the wetland
• enhancing pedestrian linkages further north between Youell Street, new and old walking and cycling paths, and Whitehall Street.

The Maribyrnong Riverfront landscaping design has been shaped by:

• including features that encourage passive recreation, such as seating and signage to highlight environmental and cultural elements of the area
• retaining the former rail alignment to Maribyrnong Street, as much as possible.

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.