The session started with an Acknowledgement of Country to pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the country around Deer Park, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.

Luba Grigorovitch, member for Kororoit joined the meeting to welcome the group. She confirmed that the level crossing at Mt Derrimut Road will be removed by July, more than a year ahead of schedule, with the new Deer Park Station and bus interchange to be complete by 2024.

Some of the sustainability initiatives being implemented on the Mt Derrimut Road project were discussed, including:

• Solar panels at the main site compound providing approximately 65% of its energy needs
• Inclusion of solar panels in the new bus interchange design that will help power the train station sustainably into the future
• A coating that will be used on the asphalt in the car park to counter the urban heat island effect that occurs when hard surfaces in built up areas absorb heat
• Rooftop gardens on the station buildings and landscaping designs including over 550 trees, native grasses and wildflowers being planted
• Recycled plastic being used as a component in the concrete on the station buildings

This was followed by a construction update with timelapse and drone footage, summarising:

• Progress over summer as we poured the last of 30 concrete bridge columns to support the elevated rail bridge, lifted 60 x 100 tonne concrete beams and installed foundations and steel framework for the station buildings, lift shaft, ramps and stairs
• Current and upcoming works, including plans to lift large steel bridge sections into place over Mt Derrimut Road in early March
• Travel changes in the area including traffic, rail, pedestrian and car parking disruptions

An outline of some recent community engagement activities followed, including:

• Community events the team has attended and news about the project
• A mural painted by students of Deer Park West Primary School for display at the project site
• An overview of some of the translated materials used to help keep diverse communities informed about the project
• And how to stay up to date with the project

Finally, the team answered questions from participants regarding upcoming night works, local cycling connections and facilities, whether there are batteries on site to store the solar energy, who will be responsible for maintaining the landscaping and when trains will run on the new bridge.