With early works well underway, the METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project is demonstrating a commitment to greening the rail corridor.

Under the project’s tree retention and replanting strategy, vegetation is being retained, restored and reused through planning of site preparations, major works and landscaping for public spaces.

A large number of trees are being retained and custom-built gantry cranes will be used to reduce the footprint of works when piers, crossheads and viaducts are installed for the elevated rail.

The tree canopy in the project area is set to increase by around 20 per cent with more than 2,000 new trees to be planted along the line from Victoria Park to Beckenham. Many will be native species to support biodiversity and waterwise urban design. 

Landscaping will also include lawn, endemic species of low shrubs and ground covers, and seeds sourced from the Kensington Bush Forever site. Adding to this, more than 200 grass trees will be carefully removed from site, stored at a nursery and replanted in the new public spaces.

Vegetation that cannot be replanted will be repurposed where possible with large trunks used as park benches in public spaces and nature playgrounds, and smaller vegetation returned as mulch.