11 March 2026
We’re returning Watsonia Station car park with better connections for pedestrians, bikes, buses and cars.
We’ve had to temporarily move car parking at Watsonia Station to Frensham Reserve while we build new landscaped bridges at Watsonia Road and Elder Street and connect the M80 Ring Road to the North East Link tunnels underneath.
As we return the car park to its original location, we’ll be making improvements so it’s easier to get to the station to catch a bus or train and move about the local area.
We’ll also build a new forecourt at the station entry, more bicycle parking and plant new trees and plants.
Before we get major construction underway from 2027, we’re exhibiting an Urban Design and Landscape Plan for community feedback.
When complete, the upgraded station car park will connect with a quieter Greensborough Road – with 19,000 less cars and trucks with North East Link open – and more than 13 kilometres of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths being built for the M80 Ring Road Completion and the North East Link tunnels.
Watsonia Station car park upgrades
Better connections for pedestrians, bikes, buses and cars.
- New and wider paths and more places to park your bicycle
New and wider paths will provide better connections to the station and link the landscaped bridges at Watsonia Road and Elder Street to the existing bridges over the rail line – making it easier to catch a bus or train or get to the shops.
New bicycle hoops and a secure Parkiteer will give people more places to securely lock their bike.
- New trees and plants
New trees and plants will be planted along walking and cycling paths, in the forecourt area, and to create a green buffer between the car park building and Watsonia Road and shops.
Native and indigenous species will be used to suit local ground and growing conditions, including flowering plants to provide food for birds, bees and other pollinators and species that have cultural significance to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung.
- Parking that’s easier to use, including new Drop and Go spaces
A new multi-level car park will have 630 commuter parking spaces, an easy-to-use layout, electronic signs showing availability, lifts and stairs.
Dedicated Drop and Go spaces in a central loop road will make it easier to drop off or collect passengers without needing to enter the car park building.
An extra entry and exit on Greensborough Road will ease existing pressure at the Elder Street lights and reduce the amount of traffic in the loop road area.
- Smoother and safer connections between trains and buses
New bus stops in the station forecourt area with seats and shelters will be close to the station entry and bicycle parking and provide more room for buses and passengers.
- New station forecourt
A new forecourt area with trees, seats and landscaping will create a more spacious and welcoming entry to the station, whether you are catching a bus or train or just passing through on your way to the shops.
- A place that is safe and accessible
The new Watsonia Station car park has been designed to be safe and accessible for all community members.
The car park building and walking and cycling paths meet Disability Discrimination Act 1992 requirements and Department of Transport and rail operator requirements.
16 accessible parking spaces will be located on the ground floor of the car park closest to the station entrance, ensuring equitable access for all members of the community. The car park will also have 24-hour lighting levels, CCTV and trees and plants that keep views of the area open.
Designing the new car park building
Replacing the old open-air car park with a new, multi-level building creates space to build an improved Greensborough Road for local trips as well as more space at ground level for the walking and cycling paths, trees and plants local people have told us are important.
The building has been set back from Watsonia Road to maximise space for new paths to the station, as well Artist’s impression of new multi-level car park and paths to Watsonia Station and shopsas trees and plants for shade and to filter views of the building from Watsonia Road and the nearby shops.
The new building has been designed to respond to the local character of the area and its natural environment.
The building colours, patterns and textures represent the silver wattle, which is part of Watsonia’s natural character, and reference the use of cool burning for land care and regeneration.
Narrow, widely spaced panels with softer pale yellow and grey tones are used on the Watsonia Road and shops side of the building. Higher contrast colours are used on the Greensborough Road side, where the building will be viewed by drivers travelling at higher speeds.
Colours, textures and materials for paving in the forecourt area also represent themes of land care and regeneration.
We’re working with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders to refine these elements of the design.
Below images: Materials, colours and textures used in the design represent the silver wattle and cool burning for land care and regeneration.contrast.
Comment on the Urban Design and Landscape Plan
The UDLP for the new Watsonia Station car park is on exhibition now.
The UDLP has maps and drawings of the project design and an explanation of how it meets requirements the community helped develop through the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process.
Making a submission is your opportunity to help refine the design including the new and upgraded walking and cycling connections through the car park area, new trees and plants and the architectural design for the new car park building.
We'll be using what we hear to finalise the UDLP before submitting it to the Minister for Planning for approval and getting major construction underway.
Where to see the plan
You can see a copy of the UDLP online from 11 to 31 March 2026 at engage.vic.gov.au/bigbuild. You can also visit our North East Link Information Hub to see the plan and meet with our team throughout the exhibition period.
We’re open extended hours.
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