How native plants can transform train stations

We have built a new rail bridge at Webb Street in Narre Warren to remove the level crossing and boom gates. Now we are building the new Narre Warren Station, which will be complete in 2024.

The new train station will feature better facilities and spaces for the community to enjoy.

Landscaping experts have chosen diverse trees and plants to make the station environment a haven for native Australian plants.

Find out more about some of the native plants that will be in the station precinct below.

Did you know?

More than 300 new trees and around 63,000 plants, shrubs and grasses will be planted in the station precinct by mid 2024.

Native plants at Narre Warren

Here are some of the native plant species you may see at Narre Warren Station:

Black sheoak

Allocasuarina littoralis

Black sheoaks have leaves that look like pine needles. These will be planted around the train station, providing shade and a touch of Australian wilderness.

Fun fact: In the past, bakers liked using black sheoak wood to fire up bakery ovens because it gets extra-hot when it burns.

Silver Banksia

Banksia marginata

Silver banksia, with its silver-green leaves and unique cone-shaped flowers, will greet you as you enter the station.

Fun fact: The cones on silver banksias can stay on the plant for years.

Kangaroo Grass

Themeda triandra

Tall and graceful kangaroo grass will sway in the breeze, providing a home for insects and birds.

Fun fact: Kangaroo grass is a vital food source for kangaroos and other native animals.

Chocolate lily

Arthropodium strictum

The chocolate lily has thin stems and star-like flowers that smell sweet.

Fun fact: Chocolate lily flowers don't smell like chocolate!

Golden Wattle

Acacia pycnantha

The golden wattle boasts vibrant yellow blooms.

Fun fact: The golden wattle's botanical name, Acacia pycnantha, means 'dense flower' in Greek.

Tussock grass

Poa labillardierei

Clumps of tussock grass will create soft, green patches that look like natural grasslands.

Fun fact: Tussock grasslands provide shelter for many types of Australian wildlife.

Why native plants are important for the environment

Biodiversity support

Native plants play an important role in supporting local biodiversity by providing native animals and insects with food and shelter.

Ecosystem resilience

Native plants are used to local climates and environmental conditions. They help ecosystems withstand challenges like extreme weather and pests.

Water-saving

Native plants adapt to local rainfall patterns, so they don’t need a lot of water. This helps us conserve water and means native plants can grow even in dry weather.

Pollination heroes

Many native plants attract and support local pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds. This is important for pollinating other plants, and improves the health of ecosystems.

Easy maintenance

Native plants are generally easy to take care of once established and can thrive in local conditions.

By combining a new train station with the beauty of native Australian plants, we're creating a space for everyone to enjoy.

Glossary:

Biodiversity: a wide variety of living things in an area, such as plants, animals, insects and more.

Ecosystem: a community of living things, working together with their environment.

Pollination: creating seeds for new plants by moving pollen.

Resilience: able to withstand and recover from difficult conditions, such as dry weather.