Updated design release

The Victorian Government is removing 20 dangerous level crossings and building 13 new stations as part of upgrades on the Frankston line that will improve safety, reduce congestion and allow more trains to run more often.

We’re removing the dangerous and congested Warrigal Road and Parkers Road level crossings by raising the rail line over the 2 roads and building a new Parkdale Station.

As part of the project, we’re creating new community open space including new trees and greenery, community gathering places and sporting and recreational facilities for the community to enjoy.

We've released updated designs for the new station precinct and open space. Community feedback has helped shape the designs and we thank everyone for their input.

Locals can now get involved with putting the finishing touches on the design, register for an information session or nominate to join a stakeholder liaison group.

Why these level crossings need to go

• About 20,000 vehicles travel through these crossings each day
• Boom gates are down for up to 44 minutes of the morning peak
• 34 trains during the morning peak

Project features

• Two level crossings gone
• A new Parkdale Station
• New open space designed with community input
• Better and safer transport networks
• Improved connections
• A greener rail corridor

New Parkdale Station

The new Parkdale Station aims to be a focal point for the precinct, inspired by the bayside character of the local area.

Referencing nautical architecture, the new station building will curve like a lighthouse, be made from translucent material and have a warm-coloured, textured base. The translucent material will allow light in by day, while shielding the western sun, and cast a soft glow at night.

We’ve designed the station to be as compact as possible and blend in with the surrounding open space.

The ground floor is an extension of the village green, integrating with the natural materials and landscaping, while the upper area is an airier, more lightweight space.

We will move the station to the north to enhance the connectivity of the area and create the village green. The main station entrance will be in the heart of Parkdale village.

A second station entrance will provide additional access for passengers coming from the north and is close to car parking. It will be smaller than the main station entrance. Both entrances will feature stairs and lifts.

Parkdale Station will still be a local station, but with modern facilities, improved access and better connections to the nearby shops and services.

New station precinct and open space

We have designed the new station precinct and open space to reflect the local character and village feel of Parkdale.

The new station precinct will have a station forecourt and gathering places that integrate with the nearby village green and open space.

The new open space will feature trees and landscaping, recreational areas, and walking and cycling paths, with a focus on maximising green spaces and natural light. The station precinct and open space will reflect the coastal character of Parkdale with natural materials and native plantings.

Linear park

We will create a green linear park with trees and plants throughout, including canopy trees and reinstated palm trees. Landscaping will focus on native and indigenous species in an informal style, with pockets of exotic species.

Village green

The village green will be a new community heart for Parkdale. It will link both sides of the rail corridor, connecting the 2 shopping strips and blending in with its surrounds.

A key feature of this space is a gathering circle, alongside a promenade and meeting spaces with benches and seating that will flow into the station forecourt.

Artworks and historical design elements

Artworks will be integrated into the new station precinct design and open space. We will also include simple signage and design elements at key locations throughout the corridor, highlighting key facts and points of interest about Parkdale.

Recreational facilities

Responding to community feedback, we're building a nature-based playground in the centre of the open space with an open grassed picnic area with tables and seating nearby. There will also be other nature-based play areas throughout the open space, as well as a small children's and community garden.

Sporting facilities will include a basketball half court and an open-air gym. A new walking and cycling path will link with the shared path from Mentone and meander through the centre of the linear park.

Car parking

Car parking will be included within the station precinct. We are refining car parking plans and further information will be available as part of final designs.

How community feedback has shaped the design

Overall look and feel of station precinct design

What we heard

Many locals would like the new station precinct design to have a more subdued look and feel that incorporates the characteristics and features of the local area.

• There is a preference for warm-toned natural materials to be used in the station precinct design.

How we’re delivering on your feedback

• The design of the station precinct and open space aims to enhance the coastal character of Parkdale and maximise the opportunity for new trees, greenery, landscaping and natural light.
• We will use warm and light-toned materials such as timber, granite and stone in the station precinct design.

New open space

What we heard

• People love the trees, parks and gardens in Parkdale and local birdlife. We heard that locals would like to see more trees and greenery in the area, including native species.
• Popular recreational items for the new open space included gathering places, walking and cycling paths, nature-based play spaces, a village green and sporting facilities.

How we’re delivering on your feedback

• We will create a green corridor with trees and planting throughout, including canopy trees and reinstated palm trees.
• Landscaping will focus on native and indigenous plantings in an informal style, with pockets of exotic species.
• The open space includes various gathering places, a village green, nature-based play areas, and a children's garden, a basketball half court and open-air gym.
• A new walking and cycling path will link with the shared path from Mentone and meander through the centre of the linear park.

Old station building

What we heard

• Many locals said they would like to see the old Parkdale Station repurposed and included in the open space.

How we’re delivering on your feedback

• The old Parkdale Station will be repurposed and located in the new open space.

For more information about what we heard from the community, and how your feedback has helped shape the design, see our consultation reports.

Get involved

Complete a design survey

To help us finalise the project designs, we’d like to hear from you.

We are now seeking community feedback on the finishing touches for the design, including:

• artwork locations throughout the new station precinct and open space
• colour preferences for rail bridge screening
• historical design element ideas to be integrated into the open space.

Your feedback will help us further refine the designs before we release final designs next year. Complete our design feedback survey by 11.59pm Sunday 30 October.

Join our Construction Liaison Group

Construction for the project will begin in early to mid 2023, and we’re looking for community members to be part of the project’s Construction Liaison Group (CLG). The purpose of the CLG is for members to provide feedback on construction impacts and help inform the local community about any issues that may affect them during construction.

The CLG will consist of volunteer community members who represent the views and interests of residents, and local community organisations.

The group will meet regularly during the construction phase of the project and will provide:

• a local perspective, particularly about managing construction impacts on the community
• information to the community about the project and its construction
• local knowledge for discussions about the construction program.

To nominate for the CLG, complete a submission by 11.59pm Sunday 30 October 2022.

Please note that a Traders' Reference Group and Schools Liaison Group will be established separately. If you represent one of these groups and would like to be involved, contact us directly.

To get involved visit our Engage Vic page.

If you would like a hard copy design survey or CLG application form sent to you, please contact us on 1800 105 105 or email us at contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

Come along to a community information session

Join us at one of our community information sessions to view the designs, chat with the project team and share your feedback.

Virtual session

• Thursday 13 October, 6pm to 7.30pm

Face-to-face sessions

• Tuesday 18 October, 4.30pm to 7.15pm
• Wednesday 19 October, 4.30pm to 7.15pm
• Saturday 22 October, 10am to 12.45pm

Venue: Mentone RSL, Palermo Street, Mentone
Face-to-face sessions will be held in 45-minute blocks.

Online registration is required.

Site investigations continue

Since early 2022, our project team has been conducting site investigations.

We're currently working to complete:

• soil investigations, which involves 4 drill rigs taking soil samples along the natures strip and on both Como Parade East and West. This includes investigations on the road and in the car park area.
• site investigations by a range of specialists which involves site walks and visual inspections of infrastructure and vegetation.

Various site investigations will continue until the end of the year as we prepare for construction in 2023.

These investigations help us understand more about the local area and support design development.

Stay up to date

To receive updates on the works being carried out, sign up to our email or text message subscriber lists. Sign up to our email updates.

Project timeline

Mid 2022

• Early concept designs released
• Community engagement sessions
• Open Space Advisory Panel meetings continue
• Site investigations continue

Late 2022

• Updated designs released
• Community engagement sessions
• Stakeholder liaison groups nominations

Early to mid 2023

• Start of works
• Final designs released
• Liaison group meetings begin

2024

• Level crossing gone
• New Parkdale Station open

2025

• Project completion

Timeline above subject to change