Tara Murray
Concept plans for how the Melbourne Airport Rail will change the heritage listed H V McKay Memorial Gardens have been revealed.
As reported by the Star Weekly, the project, which will connect a rail line from Sunshine through to the airport, will mean changes to the garden.
Some residents have raised concerns about the impact of the rail project on the gardens.
Rail Projects Victoria has applied to Heritage Victoria for a permit to begin work to reconfigure the rail tracks on an area of VicTrack land next to the H V McKay Memorial Gardens.
The application is open for comment until March 21.
Rail Projects Victoria plans to build an embankment between the current rail fence and pedestrian path within the gardens to support the reconfigured rail lines and a new airport rail bridge.
It is hoped the design will create space for more plants and trees, reduce the potential for graffiti and provide better visibility between the path and the gardens.
Every tree removed will be replaced with two new trees.
The existing jet fuel pipeline located on VicTrack land next to the gardens will be decommissioned and a new jet fuel pipeline will be built on the other side of the rail corridor, avoiding the need to build a large concrete retaining wall next to the gardens.
Noise assessments were undertaken in accordance with EPA guidelines and the passenger rail infrastructure noise policy.
These assessments confirmed noise walls will not be required next to the H V McKay Memorial Gardens.
Laverton MP Sarah Connolly said the state government appreciated the significance and importance of the gardens, which is why they’ve been talking to the community about the design and construction options.
“We’re confident the selected design will minimise impacts to these cherished local gardens, create space for more plants and trees and better reflect the original garden design,“ she said.
Details: www.airportrail.vic.gov.au.
