By Aisha Ambesi, Annalee Daly, Maddison Cutajar, Brandon Mauff, and Jackson McMullin
Plans for a safer Yarraville have divided a community laced with small businesses and residents passionate about their suburb.
The change to infrastructure proposes building a safer way for people to cross the rail line via two underpasses, a station and village shop connection without the boom gate wait.
The Victoria’s Big Build’s extension of Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) attached the Anderson Street works to the Spotswood project in 2022.
According to Victoria’s Big Build, around 6,000 passengers and 48 trains pass through the crossing during the morning peak (between 7am to 9am).
Railways crossings are always dangerous, and the Yarraville crossing is no different, with one fatality and four serious injuries since 2006, not to mention the multiple near misses in the past decade that no one hears about.
However, with Yarraville’s project being attached to the Spotswood LXRP, residents and traders say the Yarraville crossing and nearby residents did not receive the proper assessment they deserve.
This sparked resident fears surrounding adequate support for all members of the community as well as fears around the cost of the acquisition of a heritage listed home and businesses.
Ryan O’Sullivan and Yuko Kasai have owned their heritage listed Yarraville home for over 20 years but were informed by LXRP that their property was set to be compulsorily acquired and demolished as part of proposed plans to build an underpass.
Whilst they support the removal of the crossing, they also advocate for community consultation.
The residents and traders formed ‘LXRAY Anderson St Champions’ to foster the village’s voice.
The proposed plans further implicate access to a step-free alternative route; the drafted available alternative is stairs or a lift to enter Anderson Street.
With one lift during peak hours local commuters, visitors and Anderson Street customers are seeking a separate alternative route because access via the proposed ramp is a one way round trip of around 370 metres.
The community recently held a rally to give voice to members of the community alongside council and government representatives.
Yarraville community rally on September 20, 2026. (Source: Maddison Cutajar)
Yarraville local Universal Design & Inclusive Communities Consultant, Claire Tierney (a wheelchair user who often travels via Yarraville station at night), said she does not feel the plan is inclusive nor puts resident’s safety first.
“For me it is about accessibility on top of that and safety,” she said. “What I’ve seen of the current designs, unfortunately I feel it pushes a story of safety that removes it from the individual.”
If Ms Tierney commutes during daylight hours her path is well-lit and visible, but only if the lifts are working.
In the event of a lift malfunction, the proposed plans would lead her under a tunnel with no outside visibility and place her exit towards a, potentially darkened, back corner of the station.
“[This] isn’t the community and is not safe,” she said.
According to the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) Rail Team, “[the project team] held four rounds of community consultation with residents and traders since last year, which has informed our designs.”
From this, they compiled information of surveyed travel patterns, targeted trader workshops, consultation on early designs and a detailed report outlining several designs that were considered.
However, the LXRAY Anderson St Champions submitted a petition with over 630 signatures to the Legislative Council to pause the project.
Local resident and Anderson Street trader, Dr Tim Chang opened his dental clinic in Yarraville to serve the united community. He and his wife have been a part of the Yarraville community for over 40 years.
“We really want to make sure that whatever plans happen with the railway crossing it will benefit the community as a whole,” he said.
“The road closure of Anderson Street will affect trade for businesses on the street, and I fear this has been done without proper consideration and consultation.”
Dr Chang hadn’t had any proper consultation other than leaflet drops and people with clipboards to ask questions.
“No genuine engagement,” Dr Chang said. “Whenever I responded to online questionnaires, I haven’t received anything rather than a generic response.”
“All the feedback we’ve given, I feel, hasn’t resulted in any direct change.”
In June, the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) confirmed under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 that no proper reports regarding the impact on Anderson Street had been made if the crossing removal were to commence.
This subsequently led to the Maribyrnong City Council unanimously asking VIDA to pause the works, subject to eight conditions.
This includes that all the concept designs and Anderson Street assessments be released as public information, as well as explanations as to why and how they would benefit the community.
LXRAY’s website and designs can be found at lxray.com.au
