The Tullamarine Freeway is the main road link between Melbourne Airport and the rest of the city, with the first 7.2 kilometres (4.5 mile) stage opened to traffic in 1968 as the ‘Tullamarine Freeway By-pass Road’.
At least until 2013, when the Western Ring Road interchange was expanded as part of the M80 Ring Road upgrade project, and an extra set of lanes was punched beneath the Carrick Drive Overpass.
Then the CityLink Tulla Widening project
The car parks at Melbourne Airport kept on growing.
After my adventure into the history of ‘Graham Street South’ in Sunshine, I ended up following another rabbit hole – the streets cut in half by the railway.
But it was the discovery of gold in 1851 that changed everything – miners began travelling through the area on the overland route to Ballarat, followed in 1860 by the Melbourne to Bendigo railway.
However the trigger for the development of Sunshine was the opening of the direct Melbourne to Ballarat railway in 1889, which met the existing Bendigo railway south of Braybrook.
A township called ‘Braybrook Junction‘ was soon established at the railway junction, and in 1906 industrialist H.V. McKay moved his Sunshine Harvester Works to the new township, expanding it to become the largest manufacturing plant in Australia.
In Sunshine many locals started to question why the local streets had the same name on both sides of the railway line. From the Sunshine Advocate, 26 May 1939.
Some Streets Should Be Renamed
Present Situation is Confusing
Recently several requests have been made to the Braybrook Council to have name plates erected at corners of streets, but the municipal authorities deferred a decision until an estimate of cost could be procured, especially of the type that would resist weather conditions.
Should the Council’s finances enable the plates to be erected; consideration should be “given to the renaming of a number of streets, for under present conditions much confusion and inconvenience to the public exists. Three outstanding instances are Hampshire, Durham and Derby Roads.
The first-named is like a Chinese puzzle. The thoroughfare starts at Ballarat Road, and takes four right-angle turns before it reaches Wright Street – a distance of nearly a mile and a half. Mr Gross’ chemist shop is classified as being in Hampshire Road, yet directly opposite the Derrimut Hotel is in Sun Crescent.
It would be better if Hampshire Road Was terminated at Mr T. E. Robinson’s corner, and from there it could be named Dickson Street. The section in front of the hotel to the town hall corner should be Sun Crescent as it is a continuation of that street. New names for the sections – Post office to Seymour’s Corner, and the Town Hall to Wright Street, would obviate much of the confusion that exists.
With regard to Derby and Durham Roads, the position is most annoying. There is a gap of nearly half a mile in these roads, and it would be better for the peace of mind of visitors for the sections on one side of the railway line to be renamed. If a person makes a mistake and goes to one end of either of these streets to find a number he has to make a detour of nearly a mile before he can pick up. the street again.
A portion of Withers Street is another thoroughfare that requires renaming. In the early days probably the sub-divisional plan of the district met with approval, but with the encroachment of the railway department’s interests, a new thought on the subject’ is necessary.
The article must have triggered further discussion, as on 27 October the Sunshine Advocate reported that the Shire of Braybrook was now looking at the issue.
Sunshine’s Streets Confusion
May be Remedied
Some time ago this paper urged the necessity of the renaming of a number of streets in Sunshine to overcome the present confusion that exists, particularly in regard to Derby, Durham and, Hampshire Roads and Withers Street. At the last meeting of the Council the Sunshine Progress Association requested that the renaming or altering of numbers in the streets mentioned and also Hill Crescent and Thorpe Street, be proceeded with.
The Shire President (Cr A. Lowe) said that there was no doubt that confusion existed. Durham and Derby Roads ran to the railway line and then disappeared into paddocks only to be picked up half a mile away. In Hill Crescent odd and even numbers of houses were on the same side of the street. The same occurred in Hampshire Road. The Council should tackle the problem.
Cr Dedrick believed that the alteration of the names of the streets would be more beneficial than the renumbering. Many people had to go a long way out of their way when they inadvertently went on the wrong side of the railway line to reach the house they required. The numbers on houses in Hutchinson Street were conspicuous by their absence.
Cr Garde: What was the reason for the shelving of the question before.
The shire secretary, (Mr E. Hargraves): Principally for sentimental reasons. They were old English names and the Council hesitated to alter them.
Cr Glendenniing.: There is a big break between portions of Derby and Durham Roads, and people must come right back through the railway gates to get to their destination.
Cr Baker: Hampshire Road is the worst on account of its many turns.
It was decided to refer the matter to the officers for report.
At a recent meeting of the Braybrook Shire Council consideration was given to the altering of a number of street names in Sunshine and Braybrook which were at present treating confusion. The secretary was instructed to bring forward a report, and at the last meeting he put forward the following suggestions:
That Derby Road, Durham Road and Morris Street retain the original names on the shire hall side of the railway line, but that on the west side, Derby Road be altered to Glengala Road, Durham Road to Chamerlain Road, and Morris Street to Matthew Street (going round Matthew’s Hill). Part of Hill Crescent to be Baldwin or Churchill Avenue. Raleigh Street, Braybrook to Wills Street, to coincide with Burke Street Braybrook, after the explorers.
Mr Hargreaves added that if it was desired, the names of old school masters could be perpetuated, in the renaming of the streets mentioned.
Cr Dedrick said he did not favor the names submitted, as he considered there were plenty of Australian names that could be used. He would like some consideration given to the renaming of a portion of Hampshire Road. He moved that the matter be held in abeyance for a fortnight to give councillors an opportunity of giving more thought to the subject.
Cr Dempster seconded the motion which was carried.
At the last meeting of the Braybrook Shire Council, Cr Dedrick said he had consulted Collins’ Street Directory, and found a lot of duplication of street names in the shire, and the renaming was going to be a bigger job than at first anticipated. It was decided that a committee of four (Cr Dedrick, Parsons, Dobson and Treloar) go into the matter and submit a report.
On Monday evening last the Braybrook Council received a petition from the shopkeepers of Hampshire Road, urging that no change be made in the name of the street as all their businesses had been registered in the name of Hampshire Road, and that many had purchased stationery to last two or three years.
Cr Dedrick said the problem of altering the street names was becoming very involved. It was decided to defer the matter for a fortnight. The recommendations submitted by a special committee were as follows:—
Hampshire Road, from railway gates to Ballarat Road, to be High Street.
Hampshire Road, from Wright Street to railway gates, Hampshire Road to be retained.
Durham Road East from railway to Duke Street, to be Monash Street.
Derby Road East, from railway to Duke Street — Parsons Street.
Raleigh Street, from Duke Street to Ashley Street — Cranwell Street.
Hill Crescent, easterly section from Derby Road to Morris Street – Hill Street.
Hill Crescent, westerly section — Drayton Street.
Morris Street, east of railway line — Matthews Street.
Centre Avenue, from Hampshire Road (on north, side of McKay’s new duplicate store) easterly to Cornwall Road — Cecil Street.
Hereford Road, from McIntyre Road to Duke Street — Phoenix Street.
Williamson Road (also known as Hampstead Road, from Rosamond Road to West Road — Williamson Road.
Withers Street, from Station Place to Dickson Street – Armour Street.
Unnamed Street, from Hampstead Road to Rosamond Road abutting Allotments 22, 26, 27, 30, 31, 34, 35, on the north side — Poplar St.
Unnamed Street, North and South Road, connecting Wattle Road and Williamson Road abutting allotments 17, 18, 29, 30 on east side — Ash Street.
Thorpe Street: Held over for further consideration.
On 9 Feb 1940 it was reported that the motion was passed, except for the renaming of Hampshire Road, which was dropped.
Name of Hampshire Rd to be Retained
Council Reverses Decision
A few months ago the Braybrook Shire Council in an attempt to overcome the confusion that exists with the location of a number of streets in the Shire and to minimise the duplication of street names, decided to effect a change.
The most drastic alteration was the proposition to substitute the name of Main Street for the principal business section of Hampshire Road from the railway gates to Ballarat Road.
The move was received very coldly by the traders in the area concerned and a petition was presented to the Council, signed by the shopkeepers, asking that the name of Hampshire Road be retained. The Council however, adhered to its previous resolution to effect the change, but agreed to hear a deputation from the shopkeepers on the question.
On Monday evening last Messrs R. K. McDonald, J. H. Mann and L. Aston spoke on behalf of the business people, and put forth several reasons why the change would cause expense and inconvenience.
After listening carefully the Council agreed to the wishes of the deputation, and the notice of motion submitted by Cr W. R. Dempster was carried with only one dissentient (Cr Treloar). The decision will be received with a great deal of pleasure by numerous ratepayers, and the Council is to be commended for its courage on its admission that the contemplated change was not desirable.
Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Shire of Braybrook, in pursuance of the powers conferred by the Local Government Act 1928, has renamed the streets described herenunder:
Durham Road East; from railway to Duke Street; Monash Street.
Derby Road East; from railway to Duke Street; Parsons Street.
Raleigh Street; from Duke Street to Ashley Street; Cranwell Street.
Hill Crescent; easterly section of Derby Road to Morris Street; Hill Street.
Hill Crescent; westerly section; Drayton Street.
Morris Street; east of railway line; Matthews Street.
Centre Avenue; from Hampshire Road easterly to Cornwall Road; Service Street.
Hereford Road; from McIntyre Road to Duke Street; Phoenix Street.
Williamson Road (or Hampstead Road); from Rosamond Road to West Road; Williamson Road.
Unnamed Street; from Hampstead Road to Rosamond Road abutting Allotments 22, 26, 27, 30, 31, 34, 35, on the north side; Poplar St.
Unnamed Street; North and South Road connecting Wattle Road and Williamson Road abutting allotments 17, 18, 29, 30 on east side — Ash Street.
Thorpe Street; westerly from Northumberland Road; Wiltshire Road.
McDonald Road; from Wright Street to Somerville Road; Market Road.
Somerville Road (or McDonald Road); from the railway line westerly to Market Road; Somerville Road.
Bloomfield Avenue, Broomfield Avenue, Bloomfield Street; from Rosamond Road to Warrs Road; Bloomfield Avenue.
By order of the Council,
E. Hargreaves, Shire Secretary
On the motion of Cr Willanm Braybrook council decided on Monday night to have new street signs erected at streets within the shire which have been recently renamed.
Compare new and old
The 1939 Morgan’s Official Street Directory features the old names.
A year later in 1941 Labour Candidate for Southern Riding, Mr. Bert Guy, had a dig at the councillors’ obsession with renaming Sunshine’s streets.
He considers that public conveniences are much more important than renaming streets, and is prepared to work for improved social conditions in every way.
And ten years after the renaming of Hampshire Road was knocked on the head, in February 1949 Cr Parsons brought it up again.
Council against changing name of Hampshire Road
When Cr. Parsons moved at the Council Legislative Committee that the name of Hampshire Road, west of the railway line be changed he was unable to gain sufficient support for the move from among his colleagues.
Cr Parsons contended that Hampshire Road was permanently divided by the railway line and there was a good deal of confusion among visitors about the exact location of the street.
Council failed to agree also to a suggestion that the public be notified of any intention to change the name. This was to avoid repetition of what occurred when a change of name was mooted some years ago, and shopkeepers in the street formed a petition to the Council.
And fixed for good?
The dogleg in Hampshire Road was eventually removed in 1960, after the level crossing was replaced by a tangle of flyovers.
Sunshine station was rebuilt in 2012-14 as part of the Regional Rail Link project, but the Hampshire Road bridge was left alone, still dividing the suburb.
Will the Melbourne Airport rail link and the ‘Sunshine Super Hub‘ change this – I wouldn’t hold my breath.
When you take as many photos as I do, lots of strange things start to happen – like accidentally photographing the same bus twice on the same day. But having that happen with two different buses on the same day – what are the odds?
I photographed Transdev bus #369 0369AO departing Footscray station on route 216 to the city at 8:39am.
I board a train towards work.
And spot it again at the corner of Lonsdale and William Street at 9:06am.
I head out to inspect the Metro Tunnel works at South Yarra, and photographed Ventura bus #1034 5396AO on an all stations rail replacement service at 1:38pm.
I board the next train towards the city.
And spot the same bus passing beneath Richmond station at 1:47pm.
Many roads across Melbourne are subject to load limits, to prevent heavy trucks from passing through residential areas. But when I went for a wander around the streets of Sunshine I found a curious sign, referencing a street that doesn’t exist So what’s the story behind ‘Graham Street South’?
Hot on the trail
A check of the current Melway edition shows a ‘Graham Street’ in Sunshine, parallel to Anderson Road between Sun Crescent and Derby Road.
Melway map 40, 2020
But checking the Land Victoria database wasn’t much help – no ‘Graham Street South’.
Land Victoria 2018
But it was Melway Edition 1 that gave me the answer – Graham Street once continued south past Sunshine High School all the way to Wright Street, on what is now called Anderson Road.
Melway Edition 1, 1966
On the ground, the connection no longer exists.
Hitting a dead end.
A nursing home built on the site.
But a nearby street sign on Anderson Road proclaims ‘Formerly Graham Street South’.
Bingo.
So why a kink in the road?
Kororoit Creek runs parallel to today’s Anderson Road.
An advertisement for the 1890s ‘Post Office Estate’ land subdivision shows the planned road network in the area – Anderson Road running parallel to ‘Anderson Street’ south of Derby Road.
My starting point was The University of Melbourne, who have digitised every Melway edition from 1966 to 1999. Edition 5, 1971 features the original kinked road connecting to Graham Street.
Melway Edition 5, 1971
While edition 7, 1974 has the current day direct link.
In 1999 the Department of Education engaged Sinclair Knight Merz to complete a site contamination assessment, and the TAFE campus and remnant roadway was consolidated onto a single title.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to section 206 and Clause S of Schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 1989, Council on 16 August 1994, resolved that Graham Street South, Sunshine, be renamed Anderson Road.
So it took 20 years after the Anderson Road realignment for the name to be changed, and 25 years on signs still bear the old name.
A loose end
What happened to the initial ‘Anderson Street’ name? Some digging around on Trove found the answer to that question, in the 4 August 1939 edition of the Sunshine Advocate.
Shire of Braybrook
Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Shire of Braybrook in pursuance of the powers conferred by the Local Government Act 1928 did at a meeting of the Council held the 24/7/1939 order that the street running north and south to Wright Street to Morris Street and connecting with Graham Street, known as Anderson Street, be renamed Graham Street South.
E. Hargraves
Shire Secretary
Quite the history of names – Anderson Street to Graham Street South, then back to Anderson Road.
Footnote: Flynn Place
For some reason Google Maps calls the stub of Graham Street South leading into the nursing home ‘Flynn Place’.
I can’t find any official reference to the name in the Land Victoria database, but Reverend John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, grew up in Sunshine – is this street a tribute to him, or just another mapping error?
Why is a tram like a banana? Because they come in a bunch! ba dum tsh
So why do trams supposedly timetabled an even distance apart end up running up against each other?
The usual cause is the tram in front getting a bad run, which results in it getting progressively more delayed as passengers try to cram on board, while the tram behind makes up time because nobody is waiting for it.
Melbourne’s route 58 commonly suffers from trams getting bunched up, which was flagged a few years ago as a reason behind the route being one of the most overcrowded in Melbourne.
However, tram load breaches are caused more by tram reliability than tram capacity, according to Tony Morton, the Public Transport Users Association president.
“Route 55 trams are meant to be running about every four minutes in morning peak and there are on a regular basis delays of up to 10 minutes between trams,” Dr Morton said.
“So the tram that comes after 10 minutes has more than twice as many people on it as there would be if the tram route was able to operate according to a schedule.”
Seeing a pair of route 58 trams following themselves down William Street is a common sight in morning peak.
But sometimes you’ll have a 15 minute gap.
As the crowds of waiting passengers grow.
Time continues ticking.
Until three of them appear at once.
Great.
Footnote
This animation from the New York MTA shows how a single delayed train can cause delays throughout an entire subway line.
