We would like to thank the many members of the Mont Albert and Surrey Hills communities who participated in the planning consultation for the Union Road and Mont Albert Road level crossing removals.
Consultation was open from early December 2020 to the end of February 2021 and we received more than 1000 written submissions, including many comments on the inclusion of sporting grounds in the draft project boundary.
Through detailed project planning we can now confirm 3 of the 4 sporting ovals initially included in the draft project boundary will not be used as part of the level crossing removal project.
Canterbury Sports Oval and the 2 main ovals at Surrey Park will be untouched by fast-tracked works to remove these dangerous and congested level crossings.
At Surrey Park, the under-utilised third oval (the north-west oval) will be temporarily used for up to 2 years, commencing later this year.
The Melbourne Baseball Club’s baseball diamond will be used for a shorter period, commencing in early 2023.
Both playing surfaces will be returned in brand-new condition and between now and 2023, we will work with the baseball club to support them in temporarily relocating to an alternative venue.
We will also make permanent safety improvements by installing a fence between the north-west Surrey Park oval and the adjacent baseball diamond. Sporting clubs will be able to make greater use of the north-west oval due to reduced risk of baseballs landing on that oval.
We thank the sporting clubs and the community for providing input into the draft project boundary released in December 2020.