Major works: new stations open soon

The second stage of the Hurstbridge Line Duplication will deliver further improvements, including more train services, less crowding on peak trains and better connections to public transport in Melbourne’s north east.

We are hitting the ground running in 2023 with a full program of works. Some of the highlights include your new Greensborough and Montmorency stations and upgraded Diamond Creek Station will open soon.

We will also be starting work on stage 1 of the new shared walking and cycling path between Greensborough and Montmorency which will be completed towards the end of the year.

For us to open the new stations and duplicate 3.5km of tracks, our crews will work around the clock from 8.30pm Thursday 16 March to last service Saturday 29 April. During this period, sections of the rail line will be closed and buses will replace trains. During the rail closure, express buses will run between Eltham and Parliament during weekday morning peak times.

More trains, more often

Once the project is completed, morning peak trains will run on average:

• Every 7 minutes from Greensborough
• Every 10 minutes from Montmorency and Eltham
• Every 20 minutes from Diamond Creek, Wattle Glen and Hurstbridge.

The project will allow for 2 additional services from Hurstbridge during the morning peak.

Works taking place in March and beyond

Between Thursday 16 March and Saturday 29 April, we will work during the day and night along the rail corridor at Greensborough, Montmorency, Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen to deliver a range of crucial works:

• Building new stations and demolishing old stations at Greensborough and Montmorency
• Duplicating the rail tracks from Greensborough to Montmorency and Diamond Creek to Wattle Glen
• Continuing with Diamond Creek Platform 2 extension and precinct works
• Drainage, landscaping and retaining wall works at Greensborough and Montmorency
• Upgrading rail signaling equipment
• Working on stage 1 of the new shared walking and cycling path

During this period, we will have traffic management in place for the safety of drivers and pedestrians. We encourage you to take care around our works.

Leading up to our major works in March and April, we will be holding community events at Greensborough, Montmorency and Diamond Creek stations with activities and giveaways. Keep an eye out for more information in your letterbox, on our website and our social media channels.

Once the new stations are open and the tracks duplicated, we will continue with works in the second half of the year to finish the project. This includes landscaping, finishing works at the stations and planting trees, plants, shrubs and grasses in the station precincts and along the rail corridor.

What to expect from your new stations

The new Greensborough and Montmorency stations and upgraded Diamond Creek Station will be ready for you to use soon. You can expect:

Greensborough Station

• The new concourse and platformopen and operational
• Operational Myki systems
• Lifts ready for use
• Station accessible via Para Rd and Poulter Avenue
• Accessible car parking available for commuters

Montmorency Station

• Operational Myki systems
• New car park on Mayona Road available for commuters

Diamond Creek Station

• Operational Myki systems
• Extended platform 2 for commuter use

New pedestrian and bike path

Construction of stage 1 of your new shared walking and cycling path is underway and will be completed by the end of the year.

The 2km shared path between Greensborough and Montmorency stations will provide safe and easy access between the 2 stations, linking with the Plenty River Trail and station forecourts.

New landscaping for the shared path will include a combination of native trees, flowering plants, shrubs and grasses to

complement the character of the local area.

Stage 2 of the path, running between Montmorency and Eltham, will be delivered by the Department of Transport and Planning. We will keep you updated as works progress.

Changes to the way you travel

Train passengers

Buses replace trains on sections of the Hurstbridge Line from 8.30pm Thursday 16 March to last service Saturday 29 April.

During the rail closure, express buses will run between Eltham and Parliament during weekday morning peak times.

For more information and to plan ahead visit the PTV website.

Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists

To enable construction works to safely take place, at times there will be traffic and pedestrian access changes in Greensborough, Montmorency and Diamond Creek during March and April.

There will be local signage in place for further details on additional bussing and detour information.

Please note these changes are dependent on a variety of factors including weather and progress of works and are subject to change.

To view up-to-date disruption information, visit the disruptions map.

We are popping up in your local area

Want to know more about our major works during March and April?

Drop into one of our information sessions at Greensborough, Montmorency, Eltham and Bundoora. Project experts will be available to answer your questions about what to expect during construction works in March and April.

To find out when we will be out in an area near you, visit our events page.

Come by for a chat – we’ll be happy to answer your questions about the project.

Are you part of a community organisation and would like a visit from our team to give a project update? Let us know your interest by emailing us at hurstbridge@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

Get down to your local traders for a chance to win a $100 gift card

In February and March, we are partnering with local traders across Greensborough, Montmorency and Diamond Creek for a Spend and Win competition.

Shoppers who spend more than $10 in a single transaction at participating traders go into a weekly prize draw to win a $100 gift card to spend at participating traders within Greensborough, Montmorency and Diamond Creek.

Good luck to all our participating shoppers.

See our news item for more information.

The Eltham Copper Butterfly will be virtually fluttering into local primary schools

The endangered Eltham Copper Butterfly will be fluttering virtually into local primary schools via a cute animation to raise awareness about the protected species that had not been spotted in more than 40 years.

Teachers from local schools can use this video animation to educate students about their unique local ecosystem.

The butterfly was first discovered around Eltham in 1938 and thought to be extinct since the 1950s until it was rediscovered in 1986. It is only found in 3 areas of central and western Victoria.

In late January 2021, the butterfly was spotted in Montmorency.

Modifications were made to the project to minimise impacts to the butterflies' habitat.

Areas in Montmorency have been fenced off and protected while works continue on other parts of the Hurstbridge Line Duplication.

Hop to it for Easter celebrations

In early December 2022, we partnered with local trader associations in Greensborough, Montmorency and Diamond Creek to offer local shoppers the chance to win an early Christmas present of a gift card to spend at a local trader of their choice.

On Saturday 8 April, we will again be teaming up with the local trader associations for an Easter egg hunt in Montmorency and Diamond Creek shopping precincts. Kids and their families will be able to take part in a range of free activities from face painting to an Easter egg hunt. There will also be free goodie bags for those who participate in the event!

The Easter Bunny will also be hopping in to cap off the event. We’ll have more information closer to the time so keep an eye on our social media.

Young leaders reducing environmental waste one sip at a time

Purchase a ‘Cup for Change’ and help the bright sparks at Eltham High School reduce waste in the local area.

The ‘Cup for Change’ was the result of the Student Leadership Program where students worked to solve an environmental issue. The students’ goal is to reduce single use cup waste within the community.

The cup's artwork, inspired by the Eltham Copper Butterfly, was designed by student Coco Bergmann.

The cup costs $15. All proceeds from the project will go directly back to local community groups including Edendale Community Environment Farm. The funds will also help to support a gardening project at the school to protect the Eltham Copper Butterfly.

To purchase a cup, fill out this expression of interest form.

Project timeline

2019

• Site investigations
• Community consultation

Early 2020

• Site investigations
• Planning consultation

Late 2020

• Community consultation
• Station precinct layouts announced
• Enabling works started

2021

• Station designs released
• Construction begins

2022

• Construction continues

Early 2023

• Shared walking and cycling path construction begins

Mid 2023

• Duplicated track complete
• New stations open

End 2023

• Shared walking and cycling path construction complete
• Landscaping and other project completion works finish.

*Timeline above subject to change.

Stay in touch

The best way to stay up to date on the project is to:

• Sign up to email updates
• Call us on 1800 105 105
• Email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
• Sign up to receive SMS alerts for major traffic and construction impacts for the Hurstbridge Line Duplication project by texting HURSTBRIDGE to 0429 839 892