Artwork including oil paintings of level crossing removal construction works, and creative depictions of date palm trees are now brightening up Glen Huntly.
Local artist Kate Birrell has been documenting the Glen Huntly level crossing removal works in her distinctive style since 2020, saying she was inspired to capture the project’s colour, movement and personality.
“I have a keen interest in Melbourne’s way of life, its people, its history and the stories we have to tell as a city. Sketching from life, and painting with oil on canvas gives me the space to express these stories and to reflect on our way of living,” Ms Birrell said.
“I notice that there is beauty and interest in everyday activity; that which can often seem boring or mundane to others is often a source of inspiration. It drives curiosity and opens up avenues for learning something new.”
Ms Birrell said that when the project is over, as a local she looks forward to saving a lot of time waiting in traffic once the boom gates are gone.
“I also look forward to the new station and the opening up of Glen Huntly Road. The crossing creates something of a barrier between the east and west sides.”
Also bringing colour to the area is a range of drawings and colouring-in images created by local Glen Huntly Primary School students.
The students were inspired by Glen Huntly’s iconic Canary Island Date Palms, 15 of which have been temporarily relocated to a specialist nursery to keep them safe while works are underway.
While most other trees do not respond well to being transplanted, more than 50 palm trees have already been successfully removed and reinstated along the Frankston line at Ormond, McKinnon, Bentleigh, Cheltenham and Carrum by the Level Crossing Removal Project over the past 5 years.
The students have creatively depicted the various activities the palms might be up to while on their “holiday” – including taking a trip to space, sunbathing at the beach and visiting animals around the world.
The project, which includes removing the Neerim Road and Glen Huntly Road level crossings, a new Glenhuntly Station featuring an impressive station forecourt, a new tram stop outside the station and a walking and cycling path connecting Ormond and Caulfield, has been fast-tracked for completion in 2024.
The Glen Huntly Road level crossing is used by both trams and vehicles and features one of the last remaining tram squares in Melbourne. It makes it one of the city’s most dangerous level crossings as the manually operated crossing requires more than 200 trains passing through each day to travel at very slow speeds – causing huge delays for trams.
The Victorian Government is making the Frankston line level crossing free by removing all 27 of the dangerous and congested level crossings by 2029 and building 17 new stations, improving safety, reducing congestion and allowing more trains to run more often.