Melbourne Airport Rail has submitted an application to Heritage Victoria to realign the rail tracks next to the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens in Sunshine. The design proposal will enhance the heritage listed gardens for future generations.
The proposed work includes building an embankment between the current rail fence and path within the gardens. This will support the modified rail lines and a new rail bridge being built for airport trains.
The new rail bridge starts before Anderson Road, near the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens, and will elevate the airport rail line over the Sunbury corridor, Ballarat Road and St Albans Road, where it will then connect with new tracks along the Albion-Jacana rail corridor. The pedestrian bridge over Anderson Road will be rebuilt during construction of the new rail bridge.
The Sunbury and Bendigo rail lines will be moved to the west, within the rail corridor next to the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens, to create space for the new airport tracks.
The heritage gates into the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens will remain in the current location and will be protected during construction.
The existing jet fuel pipeline located on rail land next to the gardens will be decommissioned and a new one built on the other side of the rail corridor. This avoids the need to build a large concrete retaining wall next to the gardens.
Benefits
The new design will create more space for plants and trees, reduce the risk of graffiti, and provide better visibility between the path and the gardens.
Next steps
The Heritage Victoria application was open for public comment until 21 March 2023. Feedback received is being considered as part of the application process.
Fact sheet
Work near the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens
H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens concept images
