REMOVING LEVEL CROSSINGS IN MAIN STREET CONFERENCE 2016 ST ALBANS FURLONG AND MAIN ROAD MAIN STREET CONFERENCE 2016

MAIN ROAD, ST ALBANS Project Lowering the rail line below Main Road Rebuilding St Albans Station, including 700 square metres of retail space Accessing lowered platforms via lifts, ramps and stairs (DDA compliant) Bus interchange relocation to St Albans Road Reconstructing the station car park and optimising spaces A-grade pedestrian overpasses at Ruth Street and West Esplanade Inner Circus

Main Road, St Albans station 3D fly through https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubNOVhgJi68   Station modular landing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nI_osvPGec Project Overview Video

How is the project tracking.. NOVEMBER Main Road Closure – 3 weeks (9pm Friday 4 Nov – 5am Monday 28 November) No more boom gates and both stations are operational JULY / AUGUST New station buildings delivery and installation OCTOBER 2016 27 day rail occupation Buses replace trains while we reconnect new lowered train tracks. Furlong Road Closure – two weeks from mid-October to end. MAY 2017 Project completion

Working with a Diverse Community St Albans is a very culturally diverse area with more than 54% of residents born originally overseas. This is reflective in the local shopping areas and events. Strong sense of community networks that rely on variety of platforms to receive information – not just the mainstream.

Local Shops and Traders More than 400 different shops providing an array of different services, products, fresh food/produce, alfresco cafes and casual dining. It’s the hub of St Albans and centres around and on both sides of the train station and level crossing Active Traders Group – the St Albans Business Committee: champions and co-ordinates large annual events, manages funding and fundraising, marketing and information support. Hosts regular monthly meeting to discuss key issues and drive change.

Map of Shopping areas CHALLENGE! How to connect and support such a large area of shops and local traders with diverse services and products          

Working with the local community Create and build ambassadors for the local area Mainstream not effective - target ways to leverage on community pride Worked with the St Albans Business Group to create a unique campaign based on local community ambassadors delivering community pride that was more suitable to local area Launched My St Albans, Love your local, business support campaign: September – November (mix of local paper and ethnic paper advertising, radio and letterbox drop, social media campaign and competitions) Additionally: Project sources and uses local suppliers as much as possible – ie Fruit boxes for staff and also rail customers/community while major disruptions

Campaign to support during major disruptions Series of adverts in local papers with rotating ambassador images & maintaining branding Badges, balloons and posters and post cards for events and for traders/locals to wear/use to further push the message. Faces of St Albans and why they love St Albans

Professional photography with blank message board for traders to use for other purposes in their shops as ambassadors. Festive theme also incorporated at same time to precede Christmas trading

Love your local Shop Local – My St Albans Leave an engaging and effective legacy for local traders to continue use beyond the project Delivering a campaign that draws on local community pride and support Bring all traders on the journey Proactive ambassadors as connecting point between project and community/traders. Success relies on the support and enthusiasm of the local traders group and individual traders Think outside the box for ways to creatively connect with the local community

THANK YOU! Any questions? www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au More information: www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au furlong.main@levelcrossings.com.au 1800 762 667 (business hours Monday – Friday and during out of hours works)

FURLONG ROAD, ST ALBANS Furlong Road/Ginifer Station Design Lowering the rail line below Furlong Road Rebuilding Ginifer Station to the south of its current location Accessing lowered platforms via lifts, ramps and stairs (DDA compliant) Reconstructing the station car park and optimising spaces Building a walking and cycling path A-grade pedestrian overpass at Clare Street.

MAIN ROAD, ST ALBANS Main Road/ St Alban’s Station Design Lowering the rail line below Main Road Rebuilding St Albans Station, including 700 square metres of retail space Accessing lowered platforms via lifts, ramps and stairs (DDA compliant) Bus interchange relocation to St Albans Road Reconstructing the station car park and optimising spaces A-grade pedestrian overpasses at Ruth Street and West Esplanade Inner Circus