Credit:Level Crossing Removal Authority Nine level crossings slated for removal between Caulfield and Dandenong will see the rail elevated at three sections of Melbourne's busiest train line. The government's controversial Skyrail design – which has sections of the track elevated nine metres – has long been coupled with the sweetener "11 MCGs" worth of new open space. Images and maps of the new open space were unveiled on Monday morning at the sealed-off Carnegie Station that is under construction. As the minister struggled to be heard over the ringing of the soon-to-be-phased-out level crossing siren, she said new land freed up by the project would be filled with parks, play areas, seven new recreation facilities including for seniors, multi-purpose sports centres, seating areas and two fenced-off dog parks in Clayton and Noble Park.

Credit:Level Crossing Removal Authority Stations on Koornang and Clayton roads will be fitted out with a "parkour area" – equipped for a type of military obstacle course style of exercise – in addition to tennis tables and fitness areas. More than 430 extra car parking spaces will also be built at Carnegie (13), Hughesdale (10), Huntingdale (225), Clayton (80) and Noble Park (103) from next year. Credit:Level Crossing Removal Authority Huntingdale Station, set for the largest number of new carparking spaces, will not be included within the new open space.

The minister said recommendations of a Community Open Space Expert Panel set up to oversee the new open spaces would allow for "the greening up parts of Melbourne that has not had as much open space as other parts of the city." Credit:Level Crossing Removal Authority She said the boom gates are down at Carnegie Station for up to 87 minutes in a morning two-hour peak, making the project vital for easing congestion. "These level crossings had to go; they are dangerous and congested," Ms Allan said. The minister said five new train stations built along the corridor would include improved bus connections.

"We want to encourage people to catch the bus into their local train station, reducing cars in the area." Opposition public transport spokesman David Davis said the local community was still furious about the project and he accused the government of being "secretive" about crucial information relating to Skyrail. It had not released noise studies, an environmental effects study, or an air quality impact assessment relating to diesel trains on elevated rail, he said. The opposition's requests for these documents have been ignored by the government, Mr Davis said. The expert panel chaired by Royal Botanical Gardens chief executive Tim Entwisle​ said there would be nearly 30,000 plantings across the corridor, with most of the 22.5 hectares used for green space.

Work on the new open space will start after the nine crossings are removed next year using a $15 million maintenance fund set up for this purpose. Tougher performance measures in a new seven-year $7 billion contract with Metro Trains starting on November 30 will include penalties for the train operator if it fails to clean up graffiti within 24 to 72 hours, depending on the location. The Andrews government has not yet released the new seven-year contracts with Metro Trains and Yarra Trams. The level-crossing removal project along this line will rebuild Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Hughsdale, Clayton and Noble Park stations.