Our landscape architects at Jeavons were responsible for implementing a complex landscape architectural brief for the landscape planning and design of green infrastructure along the new track and in the adjoining Merri Creek corridor. The project required the blending of technically challenging design with aesthetics and high community expectations, including:
- Addressing the engineering and operational requirements for the railway.
- Co-ordination with multiple authorities, two local councils, Melbourne Water, and numerous road and rail authorities.
- Extensive consultation with the local community, and environmental and recreational group.
Landscape design and documentation for all works across the extensive site, that included:
- creating a design aesthetic for the whole project.
- managing impacts on the Merri Creek corridor including visual impact, recreational trails, natural values, flood flows.
- restoration of the indigenous creek vegetation and environment, dealing with runoff.
- protection of Aboriginal and non indigenous heritage values (original bridge is heritage listed).
- functional and amenity considerations such as pedestrian and cycle routes, design of the interface between the railway and local streets, fully accessible pedestrian crossings over the tracks, viewpoints, safety & sightlines; cycleway signage.
- design of a complex intersection on the capital city bike path up a steep slope.
- advocacy for open space and design of a new small park under the bridge (Bridge Park).
- temporary re-routing of cycle networks, and creation of works plans to ensure runoff and the impact of site works were minimised during construction.
