In March 2022, a project to remove five level crossings and build three new stations at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach on Melbourne’s busy Frankston rail line achieved a score of 92 from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISC). This is the highest ISC design score achieved by any level crossing project so far and one of the highest scores ever achieved in Victoria.
This result places the project in the ISC’s top category, as a leading example of sustainability in infrastructure.
The project has been delivered by an alliance comprising WSP, Acciona, Coleman Rail, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project.
“This exceptional score is testament to the excellent work of everybody involved and demonstrates the commitment of the Alliance to the highest standards of sustainability,” said Mike Jenkins, WSP’s Alliance Leadership Team representative.
Out with the old
The project is part of the Victorian Government’s quest to remove 85 level crossings across Melbourne by 2025. On the Frankston line in Melbourne’s south-east, 20 dangerous level crossings are being removed and 13 new stations built as part of a more than $4 billion upgrade that will improve safety, reduce road congestion and delays, and allow more trains to run more often.
The Edithvale to Bonbeach section has seen five level crossings removed by lowering the rail line into a rail trench with four overhead road crossings, and creating three new modern stations at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach and 11 km of walking and cycling paths between Edithvale and Frankston.
“This project has made a very significant improvement to the liveability of the area and the lives of local communities,” said Jamie Green, WSP’s Project Director.
“The boom gates at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach were down for as much as 40 per cent of the morning peak, delaying motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, so the removal allows a smoother, quicker commute and easier movement around the area, as well as improved safety, while the new stations and facilities have created a more appealing public transport experience.”
Designing sustainability in from the start
Right from the outset, the project team worked with stakeholders, partners and local communities to achieve sustainable outcomes in this environmentally sensitive coastal area.
The new stations at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach incorporate solar panels to maximise the use of renewable energy. They also collect rainwater for use in toilets, washdown areas and landscaping, reducing water consumption by 50 per cent.
Sustainable, recycled construction materials have been used wherever possible, including recycled concrete and plastic, and innovative materials such as bidim® Green, made from locally recycled plastic bottles.
New parking facilities and bicycle storage options are provided to encourage more people to use public transport.
A big splash of green
More than 820 trees and 85,000 native shrubs, groundcovers and grasses, selected in consultation with local communities, have been planted along the rail corridor and new station precincts to enhance local biodiversity, invigorate the area, and prevent soil erosion and weeds. Drought-tolerant native plants with low water usage and high growth performance have been selected for greater resilience.
“Wherever possible, we worked with the community and local councils to retain plants from the rail line and construction sites, particularly plants that provide habitats for native animals and attract pollinating insects,” added Jamie.
“These plants were stored carefully so that they could be replanted later into the new precincts or in nature reserves.”
Another environmental initiative was the installation of 30 nest boxes and artificial hollows around trees to encourage native wildlife – such as possums, micro-bats, lorikeets and rosellas – to return to the area after being disturbed or displaced by construction activities.
Protecting local wetlands and water
Removing the level crossings at Edithvale and Bonbeach and lowering the rail line into a trench meant that the project became subject to an Environment Effects Statement (EES) process to protect the internationally significant Edithvale–Seaford Wetlands.
The EES process, which focused on the potential for impacts on the wetlands, groundwater levels and groundwater quality, was finalised in December 2018.
“The technical studies underpinning the EES were extensive, including around 120 groundwater monitoring bores along the rail corridor and around the wetlands, five surface water monitoring gauges, and computer modelling using 20 years of historical climate data, run nearly 200 times to assess potential scenarios for the next century,” said Sasha White, WSP’s Project Manager.
“These studies showed that the level crossing works would not impact the important Edithvale–Seaford Wetlands ecosystem, and that any potential changes to groundwater levels and groundwater quality would be minor and could be managed effectively through our design technique, engineering controls and our robust environmental management framework.”
The wetlands, groundwater levels and groundwater quality will continue to be monitored throughout construction and for several years after completion.
Another protective measure used at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach was an innovative Filter Mat system, covering drains and capturing sediment to limit erosion and maintain water quality. The durable Filter Mats can be reused on other projects.
Incorporating local history, culture and art
When the three existing stations were demolished, items of community significance were preserved and incorporated into the new designs. At Chelsea Station, the Chelsea Clock Tower, dating back to 1934, was rebuilt near the new pedestrian bridge, and new benches were created by repurposing two memorial stone seats and a plaque honouring a former local councillor.
New artworks were commissioned from local artists, and the stations were designed to reflect elements of the coastal landscape and incorporate representations of the area’s Aboriginal textiles and craft.
“Community engagement played a very important role in informing the design process, so that locals can feel a strong sense of ownership and connection to the new station precincts,” added Jamie.
Improving the Frankston line
With the five dangerous and congested level crossings removed and the three new stations now open and operating, the Frankston line has a new lease on life and looks ready to serve many new generations.
“In all our projects, we look towards a more sustainable future by creating innovative, resilient and adaptable infrastructure that can benefit communities and environments for the long term,” said Gemma Boucher, Deputy Director, Stakeholder Relations & Communications.
“We are pleased to have been able to contribute our expertise in environmental and planning services, urban design, engineering, stakeholder engagement and consultation, project management and more to the Southern Program Alliance, and together make this project a sustainability success story.”
