Truganina’s local biodiversity is set to benefit from a major lift, with landscaping plans for the new Hopkins Road bridge promising more than 80,000 native trees and plants across the project area.
As part of the wider level crossing removal program, more than 200 new native trees will be planted, including lightwood, river gum and brittle gum species.
Trees, shrubs, grasses and tussocks will be planted at a variety of ages and will take time to mature and grow into spaces.
A row of 39 lemon-scented gums will line the new shared walking and cycling path.
Beyond tree planting, approximately 35,000 square metres of land will be seeded, supporting the introduction of more than 80,000 shrubs, grasses and tussocks.
The vegetation list includes berry saltbush, prostrate acacia, creeping boobialla, dusky bells correa, common tussock-grass and weeping rice-grass.
Victoria’s Big Build project planners said the landscaping scheme was heavily shaped by community preferences, with residents consistently calling for hardy native planting which compliments Truganina’s environment.
The selected species are expected to thrive in local soil conditions while boosting biodiversity and strengthening wildlife corridors.
Locals recently had the chance to learn more about the plans at a community pop-up at the Mt Atkinson Market, where project team members answered questions and handed out a detailed landscaping factsheet.
Landscaping works are scheduled to begin in the coming months, with the new road bridge expected to open to traffic in 2026.
Details: https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/level-crossing-removal-project/geelong-ballarat/melton/fact-sheets/hopkins-road-planting-and-landscaping.
