The new car parks at Deer Park Station have had a 'CoolSeal’ finish applied to their surface to reduce heat and make the suburb cooler.
Built as part of the removal of the dangerous and congested level crossing at Mt Derrimut Road, the new station precinct has 550 car parks, including 150 new and upgraded spaces, a multi-bay bus interchange and more than 50,000 trees, shrubs and grasses.
CoolSeal is an asphalt coating that reflects the sun to reduce surface temperatures up to 15°C, by reflecting heat and using a lighter colour than the black asphalt used on most road surfaces.
It is just one of the many sustainability initiatives used to reduce the carbon footprint and heat island effect by the Mt Derrimut Road level crossing removal project team.
The project team has also installed 120 solar panels on the bus shelters at the station, saving up to 85 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, and planted more than 5500 native grasses and wildflowers on top of the station buildings to expand biodiversity and further reduce heat.
LXRP Sustainability Manager Bo Christensen said the Mt Derrimut Road project was a leading example of how sustainable construction has a positive impact on local communities.
“We have transformed Deer Park’s station precinct to not only create better, safer connections for drivers and commuters, but to also create a greener area for locals,” Mr. Christensen said.
“Using CoolSeal on the car park surfaces will help reduce the heat radiation on hot days, keeping the station and surrounding suburb at cooler temperatures."
“We have implemented sustainable practices on this project, such as the Victorian-first rooftop gardens or the solar-powered bus interchange, and it will all contribute to a more liveable Deer Park.”
Finishing works have almost been completed on the station precinct, including ramp and lift access to both platforms, a pedestrian walkway connecting landscaped forecourts on both sides of the rail line, and an air-conditioned waiting room for commuters.
The Mt Derrimut Road boom gates were down for up to 60% of the morning peak, causing traffic chaos for the 23,000 vehicles that passed through every day and followed the removal of level crossings at Fitzgerald Road, Ardeer and Robinsons Road, Deer Park.
Along with 4 more level crossings being removing at Exford, Coburn and Ferris roads, Melton and Hopkins Road, Truganina, Melton will be level crossing free in 2026.
In total, 74 level crossings have been removed across Melbourne, with 110 to go for good by 2030.
