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 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.

Current works

V/Line fire prevention contractors are currently undertaking grass slashing across the V/Line network – slashing commenced in Spring and the first round of slashing will be finished by the end of 2024.

Fire prevention slashing occurs in the rail reserve, mainly in township areas and is undertaken to reduce grass fuels in the lead up to and during the declared Fire Danger Period.

Snakes are a natural part of bushland areas, including the rail reserve – fire prevention slashing is not undertaken to reduce the likelihood of snakes being in the reserve.

We will monitor weather conditions closely to determine when the second round of fire prevention slashing will commence in early 2025.

Limited access or environmental values may exclude certain areas from slashing.

If you have a query about fire management works in the reserve near your property, please contact our dedicated Contact Centre on 1800 800 007

For more information download the V/Line Electric Line Clearance Management Plan 2022-2025.

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.

Download the Keep track of your livestock brochure (PDF - 233KB) if you need to move livestock across the train tracks, or 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.

Download the Keep track of your vegetation brochure (PDF - 1GB) 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