Working towards the best outcomes for Kingston
Kingston Council and the Victorian Government have joined forces to deliver much-needed new open space at Mentone and Cheltenham as part of the Level Crossing removal Projects (LXRP).
Kingston Council will partner with the LXRP to deliver enhanced community outcomes, contributing $2.9 million towards the creation of bigger decks at Cheltenham and Mentone Stations as part of the Level Crossing removal projects, and 36 additional carparking spaces next to Cheltenham Station.
Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley said Council was proud to partner with the LXRP to deliver a greater community outcome about and beyond removing the level crossings and was prepared to contribute to the project.
"Council has been happy to work in partnership with the Victorian Government to leverage their $3 billion investment along the Frankston line and have been proactively advocating for the best outcomes for the Kingston community."
"Our $2.9 million contribution will have inter-generational benefits, by increasing the open space in Mentone, bringing Cheltenham Park into the activity centre and increasing parking for shoppers in Cheltenham," said Cr Oxley.
Council's investment will help deliver:
- Decking across the rail line at Mentone to create much needed open space in the area
- A 15-metre extension of the decking area at Cheltenham to improve pedestrian access and connection between the shopping precinct, the station and neighbouring Cheltenham Park
- 36 additional carparking spaces, at a multistorey carpark that will be built next to Cheltenham Station.
Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley said that Council was originally asked to contribute $6 million towards these improvement works in Cheltenham and Mentone, but The LXRP and Council agreed to the commitment of a $2.9 million ratepayer contribution as well as agreeing Council will maintain the new open space areas.
"The Level Crossing Removal Projects are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape these key retail precincts, and will ensure these new areas are more attractive, pedestrian-friendly and have improved links to the surrounding retail areas," said Cr Oxley.
The redevelopment of the Cheltenham and Mentone Train Stations and level crossing removals will see rail lines lowered into a trench and roads rebuilt at their current level. These are two of the major works programs being led in the City of Kingston by the LXRP.
Other local projects include:
- Carrum: Major works to remove the Carrum level crossing and build a new Station are now underway. Carrum will also undergo a $50 million revitalisation, which will create four new spaces: a new park at the Carrum foreshore, a village green at the shops, new town square at Carrum Station and a station garden at Walkers Road.
- Edithvale and Bonbeach: Following the release of Environmental Effects Statements, works on both the Edithvale and Bonbeach level crossings have been declared safe to proceed and are expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
- Chelsea: The Victorian Government has announced it will also remove three level crossings in Chelsea at Chelsea Road, Argyle Avenue and Swanpool Avenue by 2025. Council is working with the community and the LXRP to prepare a Structure Plan for the Chelsea Activity Centre that will achieve the best possible outcome for our local community during this project.
