Victoria's Rail Network: Major Upgrades and Redevelopment Plans

Victoria's rail network is undergoing significant changes, with plans for a three-month closure of the Upfield line in 2030 to facilitate elevated rail construction in Brunswick and Parkville. This project aims to remove eight level crossings and enhance services. Concurrently, vacant land resulting from past level crossing removals along the Frankston line, specifically concrete platforms in Cheltenham, has been rezoned for higher-density housing development, reflecting ongoing strategies for land use around infrastructure projects.

Upfield Line Level Crossing Removal Project

The Upfield railway line is scheduled for a 90-day closure in 2030 as part of a project to remove eight level crossings and construct elevated rail bridges. Managed by Victoria’s Infrastructure Delivery Authority, the project involves building two elevated rail bridges spanning 2.1 kilometers through Brunswick and Parkville.

The objective is to upgrade the northern rail corridor and enable more frequent services on the Upfield line.

The main construction phase, including the three-month line shutdown, is anticipated in 2030. Major works are projected to begin in 2029, with overall completion targeted for the same year (2030). Preparations and associated works are expected to span three years, and community feedback on concept designs is scheduled to be sought in 2027.

Anticipated Impacts

During the 90-day rail closure:

• All train services and stations along the Upfield line will be closed.
• Rail replacement buses will operate along the Sydney Road corridor.
• Bicycle paths adjacent to the rail line will be diverted, with an extended closure planned between Moreland Road and Park Street.
• Temporary traffic congestion is expected, particularly near the eight level crossings.

The authority has referred its plans to the planning minister for assessment. Documents indicate the project involves 1.76 hectares of native vegetation. The gang-gang cockatoo has been identified as a potentially affected species, though no significant impact is anticipated.

Concerns regarding construction noise and vibration have been acknowledged, with plans to manage impacts on sensitive locations such as Melbourne Zoo’s Lion Gorge, RMIT University’s Design Labs, and local households.

Proposed measures include temporary accommodation or noise reduction equipment. Some properties may experience overshadowing, and owners of properties where light levels fall below minimum standards would be eligible to sell to the government. Bulleke-bek Park and Clifton Park will be temporarily used for construction equipment.

Station and Property Acquisitions

The project will decommission three existing stations (Jewell, Brunswick, and Anstey) and replace them with two new stations, provisionally named Brunswick North and Brunswick South. The heritage-listed Brunswick and Jewell stations are to be retained and refurbished for alternative uses. A total of 13 residential properties and five commercial sites will be acquired, displacing eight businesses.

Alternative level crossing removal methods, specifically road under rail and rail under road, were considered but were rejected due to projections of higher disruption, increased property acquisitions, greater impact on heritage buildings, and longer rail shutdowns.

Cheltenham and Frankston Line Redevelopment

In a separate development concerning land use following previous level crossing removals, two large, vacant concrete platforms have remained at either end of Cheltenham station in Victoria since their construction after level crossings were removed in 2020. Each platform is approximately 2000 square meters.

Community and Expert Perspectives

Residents, including Derek Screen of the Pennydale Residents Action Group, have described the platforms as "ugly" and a source of heat, contributing to what they term a "heat island effect." Attempts to convert these areas into temporary parks have been unsuccessful, with VicTrack, the land owner, citing safety concerns.

The Cheltenham platforms are a consequence of the broader government program initiated a decade ago to remove numerous level crossings along the Frankston line. While most of the 21 crossings on the Frankston line were replaced with trenches (13), six utilized rail bridges, and two involved road closures. The undeveloped public spaces in central Cheltenham are attributed to the community's preference for trenches over elevated rail at the time.

Conversely, Kylie Fennessy, a long-term resident, has noted the development of public spaces beneath a new elevated rail bridge in Parkdale, south of Cheltenham. These spaces include parks, parking, gardens, and an outdoor gym, and are reported to be actively used by the community. Fennessy suggested that a more vocal community in Parkdale may have influenced the development of the elevated rail precinct.

Dr. John Stone, an honorary transport planning lecturer at the University of Melbourne, co-authored a 2014 study that concluded elevating rail lines often provides greater public benefit, including creating large linear corridors of new land and improved views for train travelers. He commented that "noisy politics" influenced planning decisions along the Frankston line, considering the widespread use of trenches a "backwards step."

Future Development Plans

In January, the state government rezoned the Cheltenham concrete platforms, along with other VicTrack land in Cheltenham and Mentone, for higher-density housing. The sites now have preferred height limits of six to eight storeys. This planning amendment was enacted to help meet state government housing targets for middle Melbourne and was requested by property developer Hallmarc, which is completing an apartment project in nearby Highett.

Planning documents from 2017 had indicated the government's initial intention to create "transit-oriented development" spaces above the tracks at Cheltenham, signaling a long-term strategy for these sites.

A similar large concrete platform above the rail trench at Ormond station also remains undeveloped, despite earlier plans for a housing tower. Kingston City Council supports the development of these spaces for housing, aligning with its own housing strategy, and has noted receiving regular inquiries from traders and residents about their activation. The council had previously requested temporary activation of the platforms but was declined by the Level Crossing Removal Project.