Have your say on the Metro Tunnel

Western Portal Development Plan amendment

The Metro Tunnel Project is occupying 5-39 Hobsons Road (part of the land formerly known a 1-39 Hobsons Road) as a support site for construction activities.

An investigation by independent structural engineers has found that some buildings in this site are dilapidated and have deteriorated to a point where structural integrity has been compromised and are beyond repair.

To ensure the ongoing safety of the site, Rail Network Alliance (formerly Rail Infrastructure Alliance or RIA) is proposing to:

demolish 3 buildings on the rear of the property, including an infill wall, located on the entrance from Hobsons Road.
retain the 2 buildings which front onto Hobsons Road, with one having its partially collapsed roof replaced. The new roof will significantly slow the building’s deterioration and allow for further uses in the future. The retention of the buildings located directly on Hobsons Road will continue to provide a visual and historical reference of the site’s former industrial uses.

The RIA Western Portal Development Plan, which outlines the scope of RNA’s works in Kensington, needs to be amended to include these works.

Public display and comment

The proposed amendment and supporting documents will be available for public inspection and comment from 9am Thursday 14 September 2023 until 5pm on Friday 6 October 2023.

Have your say

RNA will consider feedback received and respond to all submissions as part of this process. All community and stakeholder comments will be included in a consultation report which is provided to the Minister for Planning for their consideration.

For further information, please call 1800 105 105 or use our Interpreter Line on (03) 9280 0700.

Questions and answers

The site at 1-39 Hobsons Road, Kensington, formerly known as the Kensington Glueworks, is owned by the Victorian State Government.

The site is used to support works at the Metro Tunnel’s western entrance. These works are ongoing while the Metro Tunnel is under construction.

Not all buildings will be demolished. Two buildings located on the site's eastern boundary fronting Hobsons Road will be retained and one of these buildings will have its damaged roof replaced. The retention of these buildings will continue to provide a visual and historical reference of the site’s former industrial uses.

The three buildings along the site’s northern boundary require demolition due to their advanced structural deterioration. A modern small free-standing brick wall on Hobsons Road will also be demolished to reinstate the original heritage street frontage.

Unfortunately the chimney cannot be retained. Independent structural engineers have inspected the upper sections of the chimney and found they are showing degradation and pose a safety risk.

In accordance with the relevant Environmental Performance Requirements, clauses within the Melbourne Planning Scheme and the Hobsons Road Precinct Incorporated Plan, the chimney will be recorded using archival photography techniques prior to demolition, and the recording will be submitted to the Minister for Planning, City of Melbourne and the State Library of Victoria as part of a report recording the architectural and historical character of the heritage buildings on the land.

Works associated with the Metro Tunnel Project have not contributed to the structural deterioration of the site. However, due to prolonged disuse, extensive structural deterioration, presence of asbestos, historical modifications, trespassing, and a recent fire, certain buildings within the site have deteriorated to a point where the structural integrity has been compromised and they are beyond repair. As a result, it is recommended these buildings be demolished.

Subject to approval of the Development Plan Amendment, demolition of the buildings is expected to take place in early 2024. The community will be notified prior to any works commencing on site.

Two buildings facing onto Hobsons Road will be retained and one will have its roof replaced. The new roof will significantly slow down the building’s deterioration and allow for further uses into the future. The retention of these buildings will continue to provide a visual and historical reference of the site’s former industrial uses.

The buildings’ heritage significance will be recorded using archival photography techniques in accordance with Heritage Victoria’s specifications and in accordance with Environmental Performance Requirements. The archival recording will be provided to the City of Melbourne for approval and then lodged with the La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria.

In consultation with stakeholders, a heritage plaque is also proposed to inform the community of the site’s history and will be installed in a suitable location on or near the site, providing information about the site’s former uses.