16 October 2024
Pakenham’s transformation complete in November
Now that Main Street, McGregor Road and Racecourse Road are level crossing free and the stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham are open, we’re cracking on with creating 6 MCGs worth of open space.
There will be lots for the community to see and do around the new Pakenham Station and in the new open space when the area opens in spring. With bike and walking paths, a barbeque area, a playground, garden areas, half basketball court and exercise equipment, locals will be able to enjoy the transformed suburb for generations to come.
With Main Street and McGregor Road open again, works also continue on Pakenham Station.
From mid November, the completed Pakenham Station will feature a bus interchange off Railway Avenue, 866 car spaces, an enclosed and climate-controlled waiting room and public toilets.
With these boom gates gone, the Pakenham Line is set to be level crossing free in 2025.
Project benefits
- Brand-new stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham
- Boom gates gone for good at McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road
- Eliminating more than 30 minutes of boom gates down time in the morning peak
- Saving travel time for 63,000 vehicles each weekday
- Increased accessibility to public transport services
- Improved safety and better connections around Pakenham
- Six MCGs worth of new community open space
Planting in Pakenham
We're planting more than 270,000 trees, shrubs and grasses around Pakenham Station and throughout the new open space.
At East Pakenham Station, we’ve planted more than 60,000 trees, shrubs and grasses across the station precinct. We've built a shared path on Ryan Road to make it easier to walk or bike ride to the station.
More than 40 varieties of trees, shrubs and grasses are being planted across Pakenham and East Pakenham. These include species such as the Manna gum, Native iris, and Lemon-scented gum.
334,250 trees, shrubs and grasses will be planted across the entire project.
The open space and landscaping will be ready for everyone to enjoy this spring.
What’s coming in Pakenham
Community open space
Works are underway creating a space for Pakenham locals to enjoy for generations.
The design for the 6 MCGs worth of community open space was shaped by 300 pieces of feedback received during community consultation in 2021.
Opening in spring the open space will include:
- Barbeque area
- Walking and bike paths
- Exercise equipment
- Half-basketball court
- Playground
- Changing Places facility
Prepare to welcome the big bronze bird called Meet me at the Pakenham Owl.
Standing 3.2m tall and 2.7m wide, the artwork will be an iconic addition to Pakenham Station. The sculpture will serve as a dynamic meeting point for locals and visitors.
The Pakenham Owl is a contemporary sculpture referencing the Greater Sooty Owl, a species known to frequent the local area.
The owl is fabricated from laser-cut aluminium and will be securely set near the Main Street roundabout.
Being installed this spring, Meet me at the Pakenham Owl will be right at home with the other beloved local creature, the Yakkerboo, located down the road in Main Street.
To find out more, see our artwork fact sheet.
Main Street and McGregor Road
In a big step towards the end of the project, major work on the former level crossings at Main Street and McGregor Road has been completed.
At Main Street, the brand-new roundabout opened in mid July and we finished signage and line-marking in August. Roundabouts improve traffic flow and safety by encouraging drivers to slow down.
McGregor Road has also received a make-over as we removed old rail track, installed a signalised pedestrian crossing, resurfaced and line marked the road.
The signalised crossing will be turned on later this year.
Community celebration
To thank the community for their patience while we removed 3 level crossings and built 2 new stations, we're hosting a free community event. There will be free coffee, food, kids activities, entertainment and more!
When: Saturday 16 November, 11am to 3pm
Where: Pakenham Station
Big Build Roads
The Pakenham Roads Upgrade will have major disruptions in the coming months while we upgrade McGregor Road, Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road and the Princes Freeway.
Avoid delays, sign up for email and SMS updates.