Anderson Road and HV McKay Gardens
The Government announced the grade separation of the Bendigo and Ballarat lines level crossings on Anderson Road in mid-2011. Preliminary designs for the removal of two level crossings on Anderson Road, Sunshine, were released in November 2011.
We have worked hard to design road/rail separations that minimise impacts on the community whilst improving traffic flow and safety on Anderson Road. As a result of this work, no acquisition of residential properties is required.
The community has welcomed the safer pedestrian and bicycle connections and the improvement to traffic flows that the road/rail separations will bring.
We recognise that the closure to King Edward Avenue and impacts on the HV McKay gardens and pedestrian bridge has raised concern within the community.
The Footscray – Deer Park project team has been working closely with Brimbank City Council and interested stakeholders (such as Friends of the HV McKay Gardens, SunRAA, Bettering Brimbank, Sunshine Historical Society and Albion Residents Action Group) to progress the design in such a way that it minimises impacts and overcomes current concerns.
As a result of these discussions, the team has revised the design and responded to stakeholder preferences.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening with the road / rail separation near the HV McKay Gardens?
In place of the level crossing on the Bendigo and Sydenham lines we will build:
- a new road underpass beneath the Bendigo, Sydenham and freight rail lines. The railway tracks will remain at approximately their current height and the road will be lowered to allow vehicles to travel underneath
- an additional pedestrian bridge joining a new footpath on the eastern side of Anderson Road, providing an uninterrupted connection across the Bendigo, Sydenham and freight rail lines
What has the Footscray – Deer Park project team done to minimise the impacts on the HV McKay Gardens as part of the Anderson Road grade separations?
The Regional Rail Link: Footscray – Deer Park works will include the removal of two level crossings on Anderson Road in Sunshine. These road / rail separations will improve safety on Anderson Road and will decrease travel times for road users.
We have worked hard to design road / rail separations that minimise impacts on the community whilst improving traffic flow and safety on Anderson Road. As a result of this work, no acquisition of residential properties is required.
Furthermore, as a direct result of community feedback we have revised the design of the path along the eastern side of Anderson Road and relocated power lines underground significantly reducing the proposed 136m2 area to less than 5m2 of land to be acquired from the HV McKay Gardens. This change will preserve the historic gates, maintaining the gates in their current location.
Our discussions with the community and local stakeholders and Brimbank City Council has also resulted in the inclusion of a additional new pedestrian bridge across Anderson Road to improve pedestrian and cyclist links, and maintain the historic spatial relationship between the residential and industrial estates.
The Footscray – Deer Park project team is continuing to work with Brimbank City Council and associated stakeholders to refine these designs.
How much land is being acquired from the HV McKay Gardens?
The amount of land to be acquired to tie the footpath into the HV McKay Gardens has been significantly reduced to less than 5m2. This reduction of land required has been made possible by a reduction in the width of the path along the eastern side of Anderson Road and a change in alignment of service relocations, such as power.
The preliminary design for the area allowed for acquisition of a narrow wedge of land approximately 76 metres in length, however this amount is no longer required thanks to the incorporation of community feedback into the design process.
Does the Regional Rail Link project have plans to acquire land from the front of the gardens in the future?
No. Any potential expansion of the shared use path further south along the front of the gardens in the future would be a decision for Brimbank City Council and VicRoads, which is responsible for the Principle Bicycle Network.
Will the historic entrance gates at the front of the park be relocated?
No. Once again, the feedback from the community has shown the importance which is attached to retaining these gates in their current location. Consequently, the design for the footpath and the underground power relocations has been amended to allow the gates to remain in place without the need for relocation. The power will now be placed underground behind the gates within the park and the park fully restored afterward.
What does the reduction in the width of the path mean for path users?
The new path on the eastern side of Anderson Road will be 1.5 metres wide. This means a 3-metre minimum width for shared use paths as defined by the Austroads standards, which are recognised by VicRoads, Bicycle Network Victoria and Brimbank City Council will not be achieved.
The reduction in the width of the path means it will not be suitable for use by cyclists, however the new 1.5 metre width is suitable for pedestrians. Cyclists will be directed to on road cyclist lanes on Anderson Road and to alternative path routes.
What is happening with the power poles that are currently on the east side of Anderson Road near the gardens?
Overhead power lines and power poles need to be relocated on the east side of Anderson Road. Our discussions with Brimbank City Council and other stakeholders have indicated that the preferred method is to relocate the power lines underground.
The alignment for the underground lines is yet to be finalised, however following the change in design to remove the need for land acquisition and relocation of the historic gates, the power lines will be relocated underneath the HV McKay Gardens. The gardens will be restored once the power line relocations have been carried out.
Will the gardens be reinstated after the relocation of the power lines?
Yes. The gardens will be fully reinstated following the service relocation works.
Will the mature trees at the edge of the gardens on Anderson Road be removed?
Every effort will be made to ensure that the mature trees on Anderson Road will not be removed, however the design of the underground power lines through the gardens has not yet been finalised. The space constraints in that area may result in some impact to trees, however this will be minimised to the greatest extent possible.
What is happening to the project boundary?
The project area boundary is designated under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act (MTPFA). The boundary is being extended to include a considerable portion of the HV McKay Gardens and some local roads. The gardens are being included in the boundary so that the power lines can be relocated underground – avoiding land acquisition and relocation of the historic gates. A full reinstatement of the gardens will be carried out after the service relocations are completed.
The inclusion of the local roads in the project area boundary will allow changes to be made to the local road network to optimise the efficiency and functionality of traffic movements in the area. If necessary, any changes in the local road network will be developed following the results of traffic studies to determine the changes in traffic conditions following the closure of King Edward Avenue.
Is the HV McKay footbridge being replaced?
The HV McKay footbridge is unable to be retained due to the planned track realignment and will be replaced. The HV McKay Gardens, including the crossing, are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
We are seeking approval from Heritage Victoria and working with key community groups including the Sunshine Historical Society, the Friends of the HV McKay Gardens and Brimbank City Council to ensure that the history of the area is reflected in the new design.
The new footbridge will be approximately seven metres above track level, 66 metres long, four metres wide and four metres high. It will provide improved access to pedestrian, cyclists and those with disabilities, with the addition of lifts as well as stairs. The bridge is required to have screens on both sides for public safety.
The new structure will be larger than the existing footbridge. We are working to minimise the visual impact of the structure, including the visual impact on the clock tower.
Who will maintain the new HV McKay bridge and lifts?
The new pedestrian bridge will have dual ownership between VicTrack and Brimbank City Council. Maintenance responsibilities of the bridge are yet to be agreed and are part of ongoing discussions.
How is the community being kept informed about the design and the works at Anderson Road?
As part of an ongoing commitment to engaging with stakeholders and actively involving them in the design development process, the Regional Rail Link Footscray - Deer Park project team recently held a meeting with stakeholders with a keen interest in the HV McKay Gardens.
Attendees included representatives from
- Brimbank City Council
- Friends of HV McKay Gardens
- the Sunshine Historical Society
- SunRAA
- BrimBUG
- Albion Residents Action Group.
Meetings are ongoing with key stakeholders and we expect to have further information about the timing and method of construction soon.
We have committed to providing further information to local residents when that is available. We will continue to keep the community and key stakeholders informed through meetings, information sessions, letterbox drops and doorknocks where appropriate.
Why does the road need to go under the railway line when you are maintaining the road at its current level at the Ballarat line crossing?
A number of options were considered for the road / rail separation at the Bendigo line, however the design at this crossing is made more complex by the presence of major underground utilities including gas, fuel and water, and much harder ground conditions.
The short distance between Sunshine and Albion railway stations also restricts what can be achieved in this area as our design is limited by the grade at which trains are able to ascend and descend safely. These safety restrictions avoid trains gaining or losing too much speed and allow for safe stopping distances under load.
There is also a freight line which severely limits changes to track levels over short distances. Given these constraints, putting the road under the railway line was considered the only viable option.
Why does King Edward Avenue need to be closed?
The design of Anderson Road at King Edward Avenue involves lowering the road to allow vehicles to travel underneath the Bendigo and Sydenham railway lines. A cutting needs to be created on this section of Anderson Road and the difference in road levels will mean that it will no longer be possible to maintain a connection at King Edward Avenue.
Won't this lead to increased traffic on local streets in Albion?
We are aware of local concerns about the closure of King Edward Avenue. Following feedback from the community at information sessions in November and December, our team has gathered data about traffic movements in Albion and is currently completing further traffic studies in this area.
Traffic data currently being collected will help us understand the potential changes to local traffic movement affected by the permanent closure of King Edward Avenue. In consultation with Brimbank City Council and VicRoads, we will consider whether any permanent traffic management measures are required in local roads through Albion to manage this change. Further information about any proposed permanent solutions will be provided to local residents in the coming months.
We are planning a number of information sessions where the most up to date information will be available on the design and subsequent traffic measures will be available for the community to view and ask our team questions.
When will King Edward Avenue be closed?
Work to remove the level crossing at the Bendigo and Sydenham railway lines is expected to begin in mid-2012 and be completed in late 2014. However, King Edward Avenue is expected to be closed in mid-2012 to facilitate construction.