We’ve been talking to the community about the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication project and seeking feedback on the station upgrades, level crossing removals, urban design, landscaping and public artwork opportunities to be integrated into the final design.
Feedback will be used to shape the final design of the upgraded stations, elevated rail bridges and new open spaces, creating a lasting legacy long after the project is complete.
What we heard
2021
We asked the community to give feedback during our first round of community consultation undertaken in August 2021.
We received over 800 contributions to our online survey and pinpoint map about aspirations, ideas and what’s most important to you during construction and that the project will deliver.
The What We Heard report showcases the feedback and suggestions received in 2021.
2022
We conducted further community consultation in August / September 2022 and asked for your feedback on the colour palette for the stations, passive and active recreation activities for the new public spaces, landscaping, creative opportunities and traffic changes as part of the project. The What We Heard report showcases community feedback and suggestions received in 2022.
The chosen colour palettes, as influenced by the community, will be used in the architectural treatments at the stations and on the bridge piers as well as inspiring the landscaping and vegetation plans for the precinct and along the shared walking and cycling paths.
Landscaping
We are currently preparing the final landscaping plans for the project, incorporating the community’s desire to see more trees and vegetation planted to enhance the visual appeal of the local area, with an emphasis on sustainable and low maintenance choices.
More information and opportunities to get involved in landscaping and creative design opportunities will be provided to the community in early 2023.
Key feedback from the community which is being reflected as the design develops includes:
- ensuring the design pays tribute to the existing and wider landscapes of Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula
- the inclusion of low maintenance, evergreen native species and indigenous plants to promote and support local flora and fauna
- plantings of a range of varied heights to achieve visual screening and a buffer between the rail corridor and residents’ homes
- inclusion of canopy trees in new open spaces and along the new shared user path for shade and to provide habitat to native flora and fauna.
- We will continue to engage with the community with creative opportunities and further consultation regarding creative opportunities for public artworks 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.