We’ve been talking to the community about updated designs for the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication and seeking feedback on urban design, landscaping and public artwork opportunities to be integrated into the final design.

The South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication will duplicate track in key sections, upgrade South Geelong and Marshall stations, remove the dangerous and congested level crossings at Fyans Street and Surf Coast Highway and create new shared user path connections.

This report summarises the feedback and key themes raised by the community, businesses and stakeholders during consultation in August and September 2022.

Feedback will be used to shape the final design of the new stations, elevated rail bridges and a new public open space, creating a lasting legacy for communities south of Geelong.

The Australian and Victorian governments are investing more than $1 billion toward better and more frequent services on the Geelong Line.

This investment includes the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication, a new stabling facility and the completed Waurn Ponds Station upgrade.

Feedback from the community on the Waurn Ponds Station upgrade has been overwhelmingly positive. The majority of people surveyed said they would benefit from the additional train services delivered as part of the station upgrade.

• 96% of people told us that the upgrades made them feel safer at the station.
• 97% told us that car parking had become more accessible.
• 85% of people told us that they would use the new shared user path on the southern side of the station, which links to the shared user path upgrades being delivered as part of the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication.

Snapshot for works

• 8km of track duplication between South Geelong and Marshall Stations
• 2 level crossing removals boosting safety and improving reliability for more than 70 trains and approximately 36,000 vehicles daily
• 2 station upgrades at South Geelong and Marshall Stations
• 5 train services per hour during peaks, and 3 per hour between the peaks for Marshall and Waurn Ponds stations
• 5km of new shared user paths creating a continuous connection between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds.

How we engaged

During August and September 2022, we asked for feedback on updated designs for the project and engaged with the local community through an online survey and face-to-face consultation.

Updated designs were released for the South Geelong and Marshall Station upgrades and the new elevated rail bridges which will be used to remove the level crossings at Fyans Street and Surf Coast Highway.

We asked for your feedback on the colour palette for the stations, passive and active recreation activities for the new public open space, landscaping, creative opportunities and traffic changes that will occur as part of the project.

This engagement built on consultation undertaken during 2021 on planning and environmental aspects of the project.

The community was able to contribute both online and in-person through an online survey, drop-in community information sessions and station pop-ups.

The project team also undertook door knocks, a mail out of information to 700 residents in local suburbs and provided opportunities for nearby residents to meet with members of the design, environment and construction teams.

The Geelong community demonstrated strong support for the project, the benefits it will deliver and an interest in shaping the project, including landscaping plans.

Feedback gathered through the consultation process will be used to inform the final designs for the project.

We would like to thank everyone who provided feedback and look forward to undertaking further engagement as the project progresses.

Engagement snapshot and timeline

• 1,200 factsheets downloaded in August & September
• 200+ survey responses received
• 2,000+ unique visitors to Engage Victoria webpage
• 1,400+ subscribers received eNews updates
• 66,000 total reach of Facebook survey posts.

2021: Planning & preliminary design

The community had the opportunity to provide feedback on planning and environmental considerations for the project, as well as the preliminary designs for the station upgrades and new rail bridges.

Mid 2022: Design updates

The community had the opportunity to provide feedback on updated designs and landscaping and to vote on their favourite colour palettes, concepts and facilities for each precinct.

2023 Consultation continues

There will be further opportunities to provide feedback on landscaping, creative elements and urban design opportunities.

General feedback themes

Traffic impacts

It was noted by many that this is one of many infrastructure projects underway across the region and the community wants to see coordination across projects to minimise disruption and expects to be notified of detours as early as possible.

There were some questions and concerns raised about local traffic changes and impacts to local roads, but most understood the reasoning behind the changes.

Landscaping

The community would like to see as many new trees and vegetation planted as possible to enhance the visual appeal of the local area; with an emphasis on sustainable and low maintenance choices, to ensure they will be maintained beyond the completion of the project. Native and low pollen plants were also mentioned as preferred options by many.

Walking and cycling

Feedback identified the importance of providing a safe route for cyclists, and concerns about pedestrian interactions with vehicles and crossing the train line. You also suggested that there should be rest points along the shared user path and that the path needs to be well maintained.

Many comments suggested the shared user path could connect with other cycling and pedestrian paths in the local area. Themes suggested for the public artworks and signage along the trail included Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal history, nature and heritage of the local area.

Noise

There were concerns raised about the noise impacts of construction work, with requests for residents to be made aware of any out of hours works well in advance. Concerns were also raised about additional train services increasing the noise frequency for residents living near the rail line.

Safety

Safety and crime prevention were frequently raised concerns, with a particular focus on ensuring sufficient lighting in the station precincts and car parks to allow for passive surveillance. Prevention of antisocial behaviours and vandalism of the new infrastructure was also raised as a key concern, as well as ensuring pedestrian and cyclist safety were considered.

Wadawurrung engagement

Many appreciated and highlighted the importance of engagement with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to inform the themes and types of artwork and landscaping choices to be integrated across the project.

What you told us

• ‘I support the duplication of the track, as it will be beneficial for better public transport options and connection into Geelong and Melbourne.’
• ‘Creating green spaces for environmental and cooling benefits as well as recreational opportunities.’
• ‘Thank you for finally progressing this initiative, it’s long overdue.’
• ‘It’s great that they will connect with other existing paths, thank you.’
• ‘Provide sufficient lighting but make sure it does not create light pollution.’
• ‘Historical and cultural signage would be great.’
• ‘Bring it on!’
• ‘Can’t wait!’

Feedback on South Geelong Station

Upgrades to South Geelong Station include a brand new station building and forecourt, new second platform and accessible pedestrian overpass, improved lighting and CCTV, reconfigured car park and improved landscaping and architectural design.

There will also be additional parkiteers and bike hoops, as well as shared user path connections along Carr Street, to better connect the station to key destinations such as the Bellarine Rail Trail and the Kardinia Park precinct.

Feedback summary

We heard a range of ideas about what people would like to see embedded in public artworks within the new South Geelong Station.

Feedback included themes such as sports/AFL, local heritage and Indigenous artworks or First Nations stories. Landscaping was also noted as an important component of the stations overall design, with this contributing to the beautification of the area and creating shade.

You told us that you would like to see native plants, trees and grasses used in the landscaping to attract a wide variety of native birds to the area.

Most people understood the traffic changes around the station, however there were concerns about extra congestion around the Yarra Street level crossing and ensuring pedestrian safety was prioritised.

Pedestrians and the community will benefit from Carr Street being restricted to one-way traffic between Yarra and Swanston Streets. This will allow for streamlined traffic flow, and allow for safer pedestrians and cyclists access to the new shared user path on the north of the station.

You selected ‘native cornflower’ blue as the preferred colour palette for the station.

The chosen colour palette will be used in the architectural treatments at the station and inspire the landscaping and vegetation plans.

Feedback on the Fyans Street level crossing

We are removing the dangerous and congested level crossing at Fyans Street and replacing it with a new elevated rail bridge which will improve traffic flow and boost safety for 17,000 vehicles that use this intersection each day.

It will also improve safety and reliability for trains and provide opportunities to enhance the streetscape and local area through urban design and landscaping.

Top three activities chosen for the public open space around the rail bridge:

You selected picnic seating, play areas and natural boulders as the top three passive or active recreation activities you would like to see incorporated into the design of the new public open space around the Fyans Street rail bridge.

1. Picnic seating
2. Play area
3. Boulders

Feedback summary

Respondents were overwhelmingly positive about the removal of the level crossing and roundabout at the intersection of Fyans and Carr streets.

You told us that incorporating as much greenery as possible with low maintenance plants and vegetation were important for landscaping in this area. Many also expressed they were happy we are consulting with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation with regards to revegetation and creative artwork themes.

Safety and crime prevention were also raised for consideration in the final design, with comments relating to minimising antisocial behaviours such as vandalism and increasing lighting and openness to counteract such behaviours around the rail bridge.

There was some concern that the elevated rail bridge may increase operational noise due to trains needing to accelerate from a stationary position at South Geelong Station up the elevated structure. Residents living near the level crossings will observe a reduction in noise in the surrounding area as the need for train horns and level crossing bells will be eliminated.

Respondents also raised concerns about the flow on effect of traffic on the Yarra and Swanston Street level crossings as train services increase. The boom gates won’t be activated more frequently at these level crossings, as the extra services will be added for Marshall and Waurn Ponds stations to match what South Geelong passengers currently receive.

Feedback on Marshall Station

Upgrades to Marshall Station include a brand new station building and forecourt, new second platform, an enclosed waiting room on the existing platform, accessible pedestrian overpass, improved lighting and CCTV, more than 200 new car parking spaces and improved landscaping and architectural design.

There will also be additional parkiteers and bike hoops and a dedicated bus interchange which will make the station safer and more accessible.

Feedback summary

Overall, people were positive about the updated designs for Marshall Station and excited about the new facilities and waiting room.

Many respondents informed us they would like to see as much native vegetation and greenery as possible planted around the station.

There was a preference for low maintenance plants, to ensure the area is easy to maintain after the project is complete.

There were many ideas and suggestions provided in relation to public artworks at the new station. Many responses suggested local Aboriginal artwork or art that references the proximity to the ocean, and there was some support for artworks that reflect the heritage of the concrete factory located at the site.

You were also interested to understand more about the facilities which will be available at the upgraded station. The new station building on the existing platform will provide a waiting room for passengers for the first time and will feature ramps, lifts and accessible pedestrian overpass connecting passengers to the new second platform.

There were some questions raised about the increase of traffic on local roads. In particular Drews Road, as this will become the main station entry and exit point for vehicles once the project is complete.

You selected ‘native cluster everlasting’ yellow, as the preferred colour palette for the station.

The chosen colour palette will be used in the architectural treatments at the station and inspire the landscaping and vegetation plans.

Feedback on Surf Coast Highway level crossing

We are removing the dangerous and congested level crossing at Surf Coast Highway and replacing it with a new elevated rail bridge which will improve traffic flow and boost safety for 29,000 vehicles that use this intersection each day.

The rail line is being moved south of the existing alignment, away from local residents, to minimise disruption during construction, creating new green open space and a new shared user path connection between homes and the rail line.

Feedback summary

The majority of respondents were glad to see the level crossing removed to improve traffic flow on the highway.

Comments in relation to landscaping were to keep things simple and low maintenance whilst fitting in with the natural surroundings, as well as the connection of the area to the coast.

You said that you would like to see native flowering vegetation in this area and that consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is important to you.

Many respondents were pleased the project was supporting active transport with the inclusion of a wide shared user path to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians. People also suggested having a number of rest points along the trail, with consistent wayfinding signage with other trails in Geelong.

You selected ‘coastal regions’ as the preferred colour palette for the Surf Coast Highway bridge piers.

The chosen colour palette for Surf Coast Highway will be used in the architectural treatments of the piers and inspire the landscaping and vegetation plans.

What’s happening next?

Major construction on the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication is underway, which will enable more frequent and reliable services for passengers.

We will continue to engage with the community with further consultation regarding creative opportunities for public artworks and and landscaping plans to come over the next few months.

We’d like to thank everyone who has provided feedback on the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication to date.