Level Crossing Removal Project
The Victorian State Government will remove 110 dangerous level crossings around Melbourne by 2030. 72 have been removed so far; three were in Hobsons Bay:
- Kororoit Creek Road, Altona (adjacent to Mobil)
- Aviation Road, Laverton (adjacent to Aircraft Station)
- Ferguson Street, Williamstown North (adjacent to North Williamstown Station)
The Victorian Government recently announced the closure of two more level crossings and the removal of the remaining three on the Werribee line before 2030, located at:
- Hudsons Road, Spotswood by 2028
- Maddox Road, Newport by 2026
- Maidstone Street, Altona by 2027
- Champion Road, Newport (closure)
- Anderson Street, Yarraville (closure)
For details of above, visit www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
Advocating to Pause the Champion Road Closure Project
The Victorian Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) has announced it will remove the level crossings at Maddox Road and Champion Road in Newport by 2026. When the level crossings are removed, the LXRP will permanently close Champion Road, removing car access at this point. The LXRP believes it is not possible to keep the road open at the Champion Road level crossing because there are gas and oil pipelines, and other essential services buried near the level crossing and close to the Newport stabling yards. If Champion Road was to close, traffic will be redirected and funnelled on to Maddox Road, which is already congested, as well as nearby Akuna Drive, which is being extended by the LXRP.
Council opposes the proposed closure of Champion Road. Council welcomes the removal of level crossings in our community, however we are disappointed there has been limited consultation with Council or the community on the possible options to remove the level crossing before the decision to close Champion Road was announced by the Victorian State Government in October 2022. Council has written to the Premier, Minister for Transport Infrastructure and the Treasurer seeking a delay to the project while alternative options are considered.
Click the below image for more information
Proposed Alternative Options
Option 1: Rail over Road
This proposed option includes a rail bridge over the Champion Road level crossing.
- Champion Road upgraded to include traffic island or roundabout (north-side)
- Possible changes to access and parking (south-side)
Benefits
- No property acquisition
- Can incorporate a separated pedestrian and cycling path
- Minimal impact on pipelines and utility services
Option 2: Road over Rail
This proposed option includes a road bridge over the Champion Road level crossing.
- New roundabout installed (north-side)
- Possible changes to parking (south-side)
Benefits
- No property acquisition
- Can incorporate a separated pedestrian and cycling path
- Minimal impact on pipelines and utility services
Option 3: Extension of Challis Street
A third option was developed through an extension of Challis Street under the rail overpass and looping around to the top end of Champion Road.
Latest News
19 November 2024: The LXRP released designs for the level crossing removal on Maddox Road in Newport. The released designs detail the state government’s plan to build a rail bridge at the Maddox Road level crossing and to close off traffic access at the nearby Champion Road level crossing. View more details on the released plans.
Community consultation is seeking feedback on the design and can be provided by completing the LXRP community survey online. The survey closes Sunday 15 December 2024.
12 July 2023: At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 12 July 2023, Council established two Level Crossing Removal Community Interest Groups (CIG’s) for the following projects:
- Champion Road and Maddox Road, Newport
- Hudsons Road, Spotswood
The Groups contain diverse community representation from the local areas and will assist Council in its advocacy efforts on these significant infrastructure projects. While Council welcomes the removal of the level crossings, Council is renewing its call to the state government to rethink the closure of Champion Road as part of its level crossing removal program.
Council is disappointed in the lack of consultation before the Champion Road’s planned closure was announced by the Victorian Government in October 2022, and is actively corresponding with relevant ministers to urge the government to consider alternatives.
As a major thoroughfare between Newport West and Williamstown, Council believes Champion Road’s closure would cause significant disruption between the two suburbs and further overload already congested routes along Mason Street in Newport and Maddox Road in Newport/Williamstown.
Our Role
LXRP is part of the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority and the projects fall under Victoria’s Big Build. For more information visit www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
Council acknowledges that these large-scale infrastructure projects have lasting impacts on surrounding communities. Throughout the process, Council will work to represent the views and opinions of the community.
In March 2016 Hobsons Bay City Council adopted a set of guiding principles for grade separation projects in Hobsons Bay to present to the state government. Their purpose is to ensure that local amenity is protected and the best possible outcomes are achieved.
The principles apply in the planning, design, consultation and implementation of any grade separation project within Hobsons Bay. They are in place to ensure that level crossing removals are well integrated with the local area and that community amenity is protected. The principles are:
- a value-for-money outcome
- an efficient road network
- a connected community
- conservation of special values
- minimal impact on adjacent private land
- quality public places
- allowance for future development
- a safe and accessible precinct
- an integrated transport hub
- an environmentally responsible development
- a development that addresses community concerns and aspirations
You can view the Hobsons Bay Grade Separation Principles(PDF, 3MB) here.