Collaboration with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation Elders and Cultural Consultation Unit has shaped design features at the new Melton Station and Ferris Road bridge in Melton.
Inspired by Gurborra, the Koala, the design reflects Melton’s landscape and heritage, acknowledging the ongoing culture of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.
A large graphic mapping Melton’s natural landscape, reflecting on themes from the Gurborra story, will find its home in the new 16m wide pedestrian through link.
This story conveys the importance of community, caring for Country and respecting waterways.
The Melton Station colour palette connects with geological formations and features in local to the area. This includes the water-stained natural rock, the earthy brown of waterways and the natural timber tones of tarnuk– a wooden vessel made from bark of the River Red Gum.
Symbols will be etched into concrete paving around the station forecourt representing meeting place, journey, water, and mountains, while graphics representing the Gurborra story will feature on the lift shafts and in the sky lights.
The Ferris Road retaining wall panels feature designs representing baan (water), flowing through wurun (trees) and the concrete barrier along the road bridge also represents the tarnuk (vessel) that feature in the Gurborra story.
A resting space next to the road bridge will offer seating, native planting and motifs etched into the ground representing Gurborra, wurun, tarnuk, and baan (water).
The new Ferris Road opened to traffic on Thursday 15 July and the new Melton Station will open to passengers on Tuesday 1 September, enhancing safety, reducing congestion, and creating spaces that are both visually appealing and informative.
This work forms part of a broader project to remove four dangerous and congested level crossings at Coburns Road, Exford Road, and Ferris Road in Melton, as well as Hopkins Road in Truganina, alongside the construction of a modern, fully accessible new Melton Station.
