Works NotificationBallarat Line Closure24-hours works - 12.01 AM Friday 9 March to 11.59 PM Monday 12 March

Caroline Springs station - Melton

Major works are continuing on the Ballarat Line Upgrade to deliver more frequent and reliable services for thousands of passengers every day.

We will be undertaking tree and vegetation removal within the rail corridor between Caroline Springs station and Melton so we can install safety barriers and build new rail track and services. This will allow us to maintain train services during the busiest times, minimise impacts to commuters and ensure the safety of the community and our workers.

What we are doing

V/Line will be closing the Ballarat Line after the last service on Thursday 8 March to undertake track maintenance works within the rail corridor.

To minimise disruption to commuters, we will also undertake the following works within the rail corridor during this period:

• Installation of safety barriers between the existing rail line and the construction works area between Ferris Road, Melton South, and south of Coburns Road, Melton

• Earthworks, including rock hammering, between Hopkins Road and Toolern Creek

• Temporary signal relocation works between Paynes Road, Rockbank and Exford Road, Melton South

• Tree and vegetation removal within the rail corridor, including on the banks of the Toolern Creek

• Surveying work during daytime working hoursDuring these works, we will be working within the rail corridor with light vehicles, trucks, machinery including excavators and vacuum trucks, power tools and hand tools. Temporary site facilities will also be placed within the rail corridor.

Works will be complete and regular train services will resume from the first service on Tuesday 13 March.

What to be aware of:

• Trucks, light vehicles, machinery and workers near level crossings, on local roads and within the rail corridor

• We will also need to access our Hopkins Road site compound throughout this continuous working period

• Low levels of dust are expected to be generated while these works take place. Where necessary, water carts will be used for dust suppression

• Lighting used during the continuous works will be directed away from residences

• Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times

• No impacts to existing services to your property are expected

• Traffic management will be used to direct traffic and pedestrians safely around the work sites. Please obey any signage on site.

We will minimise the disruption to local residents by using broadband reversing alarms on mobile machinery and equipment where possible.

These alarms are quieter than the standard reversing beepers used on most construction sites. We will also use noise reduced plant and equipment, and schedule noisy works during normal working hours where possible.

TREES TO BE REMOVED - TOOLERN CREEKTraffic Impacts

These works will require traffic management changes, including temporary speed and lane reductions at and around the following locations:

• Hopkins Road level crossing• Troups Road North level crossing• Leakes Road level crossing• Paynes Road level crossing• Mt Cottrell Road level crossing• Ferris Road level crossing• Exford Road level crossing • Coburns Road level crossing

• Track machines and test trains will continue to run along the rail track during the line closure, so always obey the warning signs at level crossings and take care around trains

• Vehicle and cyclist access will be maintained at all times on local roads

Tree and vegetation removal

Works carried out within the rail corridor to date have resulted in minimal tree and vegetation removal while design work has progressed.

We are working hard through the project’s design phase to avoid tree and vegetation removal where possible, however some trees and vegetation will need to be removed, largely within the rail corridor, to deliver the project.

All trees that will potentially be impacted by our works have been assessed by a qualified arborist. These assessments provide a guide on the relative value of the tree, based on their contribution to the landscape, condition, species and health.

Each tree to be removed will also be assessed for habitat potential prior to removal, and wildlife handlers will be present where necessary to safely relocate native fauna.

See below for further details on tree removal.

Leakes Road - Toolern Creek

In this area, there will be new rail track built to the north of the existing rail track, along with new vehicle access tracks, underground services, and rail signalling equipment. To carry out these works we will need to remove some trees within the rail corridor, along the south and north of the existing rail.

The majority of trees to be removed from this area are generally smaller trees, including regrowth from routine maintenance such as trimming or slashing.

Toolern Creek Rail Bridge - Exford Road

Construction of the new rail bridge, to accommodate the new duplicated track over Toolern Creek will require a site compound located in the creek reserve, along with changes to the access path on the western side of the creek.

To build the new track we will also need to access the site from the rail corridor located at the rear of residences on Brooklyn Road, as well as directly from Brooklyn Road and Abey Road to the creek reserve.

No private property will be accessed to carry out these works.

To preserve as much green space as possible in this valued public area, trees will only be removed where absolutely necessary to safely construct the new rail track, access tracks and underground services, and operate train services.

See map for further detail on trees to be removed around Toolern Creek.

Exford Road - Melton Station - Melton Reservoir

The new rail track will be built within the rail corridor to the north of the existing rail track. Underground services to be installed as part of the works are planned to be located on the south and north of the existing rail track.

We are currently assessing which trees can be retained throughout the Melton station carpark on the north side, as well as throughout the rail corridor towards the Melton Reservoir, where the rail duplication works end.

No trees will be removed from this area during March.

What happens to trees that are removed

We are working with local community groups so that trees that need to be removed can contribute to the environment through the collection of seed prior to removal, use in local reserves for bird and animal habitat, or other community uses such as mulch.

Meet the project team

We invite members of the community to talk to the team about the upcoming works.

Members of the team, including vegetation and rail experts will be available at the following drop in style information sessions:

• Saturday 3 March from 10am – 1pm, Toolern Creek reserve, between Brooklyn and Creek Streets

• Wednesday 7 March from 4pm – 7pm, Western BACE, 222 Ferris Road, Melton South

Brooklyn Rd

Creek St

Exfo

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d

Hun

ter S

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Abey Rd

Legend

Existing rail track

New rail track

Trees to be retained

Rail corridor

To be removed now

Toolern Creek

Pedestrian path

To be assessed for future removal / lopping

TREES TO BE REMOVED - TOOLERN CREEK

Project Partners

When

Many of the trees need to be removed due to their close proximity to the existing or planned rail infrastructure. Trees within the rail corridor and Toolern Creek reserve that have the potential to fall onto the existing rail track, will need to be removed when trains are not in operation.

The Ballarat line will be closed to passenger trains after the last service on Thursday 8 March and reopened for the first service on Tuesday 13 March so we can safely undertake these critical works in the rail corridor, including tree removal between Leakes Road and Exford Road, and Toolern Creek reserve.

Following tree removal, works on the Toolern Creek rail bridge are expected to commence in mid March 2018, and earthworks will continue throughout the rail corridor between Leakes Road and Toolern Creek.

More Information

For more information about the Ballarat Line Upgrade:

ballaratlineupgrade.vic.gov.au

1800 105 105 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

ballaratlineupgrade@ecodev.vic.gov.au

PLAN YOUR JOURNEY

For more information about V/Line planned service changes, including bus replacement services during the Ballarat rail line closure, contact the Public Transport Victoria call centre:

1800 800 007 (6am to midnight daily - all night Friday and Saturday)

(03) 9280 0700

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Ballarat Line Upgrade will be completed by late 2019.

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