Major works to remove the dangerous and congested level crossing at Manchester Road, Mooroolbark, build a new station and double passenger parking to 900 spaces are well underway.

With the new infrastructure now under construction, community feedback has helped shape plans to plant over 60,000 trees, shrubs and grasses throughout the Mooroolbark and Lilydale area.

The landscaping designs have now been finalised, with planting to begin after major construction has been completed.

How we select species

When selecting tree and plant species, there are several factors we must consider including maintenance requirements, how much sun is available in each location and how the plants will affect the look and feel of the station precinct.

The plants have been selected to ensure they will create an open, green feel that links to the rural history at Mooroolbark and blends well with the other elements of the station design such as Coldstream stone and Corten steel.

Their locations have been carefully selected to make sure tree branches stay clear of the rail corridor, keep sightlines open to discourage antisocial behaviour and create a safe, open atmosphere around the stations.

Landscaping plan – Mooroolbark Station precinct

Yellow bloodwood

The yellow bloodwood is a hardy native with white flowers during the summer. This tree will be planted along Sherlock Road to provide a green feel to the street, while planting it slightly away from the retaining wall means it won’t overhang the rail corridor in years to come.

Orange natal lily

This bright flowering bush loves the shade, so we’ve planted it where it can thrive. The thick green leaves spread out to provide groundcover over time.

Australian indigo

Australian indigo is part of the pea family, and attracts butterflies to its purple/pink flowers in spring. This hardy plant needs little maintenance and creates a colourful ground cover.

Black anther flax lily

The Black anther flax lily has grass-like leaves and little purple flowers. This ground covering native does well in bright sun, so we’ve planted it in areas with plenty of light.

Your feedback at work

In 2019 we asked the community what kind of planting you would like to see in the new station precinct.

Feedback we received said that you wanted the landscaping to reflect the green, leafy feel of the suburb and use native plantings in the designs. We took that on board, worked with council and their own landscaping strategies for the area and have incorporated native plants throughout the design to create plenty of green space around the station precinct.

Species at your new Mooroolbark Station

We’re planting a wide range of trees, plants, shrubs and grasses at Mooroolbark. Some of these species include:

Trees

• Blackwood
• Dwarf apple
• River oak
• Yellow bloodwood
• Dwarf spotted gum
• Spotted gum
• Dwarf lemon-scented gum
• Red spotted gum
• Swamp gum
• Red ironbark
• Maidenhair tree
• Queensland box
• Weeping lilly pilly

Shrubs

• Dwarf woolly bush
• Birthday candles banksia
• Sweet bursaria
• White Anzac bottlebrush
• Little green bottlebrush
• Kings Park special bottlebrush
• Bellissimo correa
• Silky eremophila
• Cherry cluster grevillea
• Woolly tea-tree
• Mundi coastal rosemary
• Naringa coastal rosemary

Plants and grasses

• Cast iron plant
• Natal lily, orange and yellow varieties
• Revelation flax lily
• Katrinus deluxe matrush
• Tanika mat-rush
• Snowy daisy bush
• Australian indigo
• Knobby club-rush
• Spiny-headed mat-rush

Protecting Brushy Creek

Land within 200m of Brushy Creek and Olinda Creek is an area of cultural heritage importance.

A Cultural Heritage Management Plan has been developed in accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 to ensure the appropriate management of Aboriginal heritage values on this project.

Aboriginal Victoria has approved the plan, while the project is responsible for complying with its conditions.

Project timeline

Early 2021

• Summer construction blitz sees foundation work completed
• Elements of the bridge structure start to arrive on site

Mid 2021

• Mooroolbark Station closes to allow for relocation of existing building and new station to be constructed

Late 2021

• Lilydale Station closes to allow the new station to be constructed

2022

• Project completion
• New multi-deck car park opens at Mooroolbark

Timeline above subject to change.