Plans Revealed for Melbourne's Newest Urban Parkland

The Victorian Government have revealed their plans to remove every single level crossing between Caulfield and Dandenong and create 11 MCG's worth of new urban parkland.

Key features include a linear parkland, seven new recreational areas and a 17 kilometre cycling path which will extend from Monash University’s Caulfield Campus to the East Link Trail.

Across the open space will be recreation facilities for all ages including seniors’, multi-purpose sports courts, rock climbing and skate elements. Dog owners will have access to two fenced dog parks in Clayton and Noble Park addressing a lack of off-leash facilities in Melbourne’s south east.

“This area of Melbourne has the smallest amount of parkland in Victoria – we’re providing more space for locals and families to come together, exercise and play,” Minister for Transport Jacinta Allan said.

Plans for the 22.5 hectares worth of new open space were part of a government $1.6 billion initiative to remove the nine dangerous and congested level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong, and create an elevated railway line between Cranbourne and Pakenham.

[Related reading: Melbourne Sky Rail Project Unveiled]

By removing the most dangerous and congested level crossings we are making our communities safer – and by providing more open space we’re making them a better place to live."

Melbournites can save six figures by buying on train line 
Analysis of new REIV median house price data shows savvy buyers can save a six-figure sum by purchasing in the next suburb along the train line.

In the September quarter, the Belgrave line recorded the largest price difference between stations with Canterbury’s median house price ($2,875,000) almost a million dollars more expensive than those serviced by the Chatham station in Surrey Hills ($1,930,000).

The distance between the two stations is less than a kilometre.

Significant savings of $896,000 were also possible for buyers who purchased a home in Heidelberg, rather than the previous suburb on the Hurstbridge line, Eaglemont.

Meanwhile, buyers willing to spend a few more minutes on the South Morang line could save around $600,000 by purchasing in Thomastown instead of nearby Thornbury, serviced by the Keon Park railway station.

At the more affordable end of the market, commuters were able to save more than half a million dollars by purchasing one stop further along the Werribee train line in Laverton, rather than Westona.

Buyers were also able to enter the market in Noble Park on the Pakenham line for $142,500 less than the previous suburb of Springvale, serviced by the Sandown Park station.

According to the Level Crossing Removal Authority, the new urban park will be complete in late 2018, and works will kick off once the current rail line has been moved onto the elevated structure and the old tracks are removed.