Environment

Sustainability

At V/Line, we understand that our role as a public transport operator contributes to environmental sustainability.

With approximately 3440 kilometres of railway track under our control, including stations, rail yards and a fleet of more than 300 individual train sets, we have many environmental challenges.

Some of our biggest challenges relate to the management and protection of significant vegetation next to our tracks and the use of diesel fuel to power our trains.

Government reporting directives requires V/Line to submit additional information on office-based environmental data.

Detailed information on aspects of energy use, waste production and paper use help keep environmental issues front of mind, and set out challenges for ongoing improvement in the coming years.

Energy efficiency

The Energy Efficiency Opportunities program encourages large energy-using businesses to improve their energy efficiency. It does this by requiring businesses to identify, evaluate and report publicly on cost effective energy savings opportunities.

V/Line regularly reports on current energy usage and more importantly, identifies projects to drive energy savings. This information can be found each year in our Annual Report available under the publications page.

Our neighbours

V/Line manages approximately 3440 kilometres of rail reserves in Victoria.

These reserves border state forests, public land and a range of private landowners including farmers, homeowners and businesses.

Together with our neighbours, we work to manage pests, weeds and vegetation growth.

Fire slashing and weed control

The land around train tracks is called the rail reserve, in Victoria it covers approximately 5000 kilometres and is managed by several bodies, including V/Line.

V/Line clears vegetation from the rail reserve to reduce the risk of fire, in a process called slashing. This takes place within the densely populated areas of towns along the 3600 kilometres of the V/Line network and areas deemed an extreme risk as determined by the Victorian Fire Risk Register.

V/Line ensures it has the appropriate permission to before clearing any vegetation from a recognised bio-site. Some areas near waterways, embankments or other areas which are difficult to access may be excluded, although some of these areas may be brush cut.

Vegetation is usually removed to within 10 centimetres of the ground.

We also spray herbicide near roads and other places that have a high risk of ignition.

Notification of upcoming Electric Line Clearance works in September and October 2023

As part of our obligation to keep powerlines clear of vegetation as per the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2020 we have identified trees that require pruning or removal in the following locations.

Wallan
Heathcote Junction
Wandong
Tallarook
Seymour
Euroa
Violet Town
Benalla
Wangaratta
Wycheproof
Rainbow
Clarkefield
Riddells Creek
Gisborne
Woodend
Kyneton
Castlemaine
Kangaroo Flat
Bendigo
Eaglehawk
Pyramid Hill
Melton
Bacchus Marsh
Ballan
Beaufort
Ararat
Ballarat
Maryborough
Creswick
Little River
North Geelong
Geelong
Birregurra
Colac
Camperdown
Somerton
Drouin
Warragul
Yarragon
Trafalgar
Moe
Morwell
Rosedale
Sale
Bairnsdale

For more information download the V/Line Electric Line Clearance Management Plan 2022-2034.

Keep track of your livestock

Livestock and train tracks are never a good mix. Please do everything you can to keep them apart.

As a stock owner or keeper, you are responsible for keeping your animals away from the train tracks.

Keep customers, staff and your animals safe.

For more information click here or if you need to move livestock across the train tracks, please call V/Line train control on 9619 1077.

Keep track of your vegetation

It is important that vegetation in and around the rail reserve does not affect the safe operations of trains.

V/Line monitors and maintains vegetation on railway land by removing or trimming trees, slashing or grading grass and spraying herbicide.

Land owners and occupiers have a legal duty to protect neighbouring properties, including rail lines, from vegetation that may pose a risk.

For more information click here or if you have concerns that vegetation on your land is interfering with the railway, please call 1800 800 007 to arrange an inspection.

Further Information

Land owners concerned about trees inside rail reserves or on their property should phone us on 1800 800 007.

If you’re planning to move livestock or heavy machinery across railway tracks, please call V/Line train control on 03 9619 1077.

Important information