Your new station precinct designs

We’re removing the dangerous and congested level crossings at Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert by lowering the rail line in an open trench and building a new, premium station with better facilities and more services.

The Victorian Government has fast-tracked these level crossings for removal, bringing hundreds of jobs to the local area and removing the boom gates 2 years earlier than originally planned.

Thousands of drivers, pedestrians, commuters, businesses and residents provided a fantastic response to our consultation on the concept design, contributing over 5000 individual pieces of feedback.

We heard overwhelming support for removing the level crossings and unclogging the roads.

We’ve now released updated designs for the new station and station precinct, incorporating extensive community feedback and further detailed technical work.

The new station architecture and bespoke layout responds to the community’s preference for a design that complements the local area.

Key features include layered canopies, traditional materials, and soft muted colours that allow the station to blend with its surrounds.

Our updated designs are now available and you can have your say on the finishing touches.

Early works for the project will start soon, with major construction starting in 2022 and the boom gates will be gone for good in 2023.

The project will deliver:

• Improved safety and less congestion
• A new premium station with better facilities and more services
• New pedestrian and cycling connections
• New community spaces and a rejuvenated Lorne Parade Reserve
• A new modern and safe commuter car park
• A new station precinct with no compulsory acquisition

Updated designs

New premium station

The new premium station will deliver better facilities and more train services to the Surrey Hills and Mont Albert communities.

In response to community feedback, we’ve developed an understated station design that respects and complements the local area.

The result is a calm, composed and connected station design that is open, light and inviting.

Rejuvenated open space

The new station precinct connects with and celebrates Lorne Parade Reserve as a modern green space for generations to come.

The rejuvenated green space will include new seating, a new play space and trees, shrubs and grasses.

Mont Albert precinct

A spacious pedestrian bridge will replace the old narrow underpass at Mont Albert Station, providing a safer, more direct connection between residents and the shops.

While the historic Mont Albert Station building will need to be removed during construction, we’ll restore the old station to its former glory, so it can serve a new community purpose. This may include a café, restaurant or community centre, which were the most popular ideas we heard through community feedback.

Community information sessions

Join us to find out more about the updated designs at one of our face-to-face community information sessions*.

Please note registration for these sessions is required.

Face-to-face session are subject to change based on health advice.

Virtual sessions

Following a positive response to our online sessions earlier this year, we’ll be also be holding virtual community information sessions for those of you who would like to get more information about the project online.

More information about these sessions is available on the Engage Victoria website and you must register to attend.

To register for one of our face-to-face or virtual sessions, just head to Engage Victoria or get in touch with our contact centre on 1800 105 105.

Have your say

You can now provide feedback on the finishing touches for the new station and station precinct. We want to hear your thoughts on:

• Lorne Parade Reserve design elements
• Public artwork locations within the precinct
• Colour styles for the pedestrian bridge between Beresford Street and Mont Albert shopping village, as well as the new road bridges on Union Road and Mont Albert Road
• Planting preferences along the rail trench on Churchill Street and Sunbury Crescent

To have your say, complete the survey on the Engage Victoria website. Surveys will also be available at upcoming information sessions, or you can request a hard copy by calling us on 1800 105 105.

Your feedback will help shape the final designs.

Project overview

New open space at Union Road

New open space will be created either side of the rail trench at Union Road. The space south of the rail trench will provide an arrival point into the station precinct and safely connect cyclists and pedestrians to Union Road.

Open space will be created north of the rail trench with landscaping designs to be developed in the coming year.

Safer, more accessible car park

We're rebuilding both car parks at Surrey Hills to modern standards with a better layout, improved lighting and CCTV, and, with stairs and ramps connecting commuters to the main station concourse.

New station entrance – Surrey Hills

In response to community feedback, we've developed an understated and subtle station design that respects and complements the local area.

The station will be built with traditional materials such as brick, stone and shingle cladding to reflect local heritage and history.

New station precinct

We will create a 'green heart' for the new station, with planting and landscaping in and around the precinct.

Rejuvenated Lorne Parade Reserve

Responding to community feedback, Lorne Parade Reserve will be returned as open green space with timber seating and new plants, trees and shrubs. The design features a new play space for local children.

Better local connections

There will be new cycling and pedestrian paths from Union Road in Surrey Hills, along Windsor Crescent and Lorne Parade, to connect with the Mont Albert shopping village. In future, these paths will link to Box Hill and Hawthorn.

Station concourse

A unique perforated canopy will create a dappled light effect throughout the station concourse and soft muted colours will help the station to blend with its surrounds.

New station entrance – Mont Albert

The station building will allow commuters to access the new station from both sides of the rail trench.

Easier drop-off at Mont Albert Road

A new Kiss and Ride drop-off area close to the station entrance will make it more convenient and safer to drop off commuters at the station.

Hamilton Street precinct

A spacious pedestrian bridge will replace the old narrow underpass at Mont Albert Station, providing a safer and more direct connection between homes and the shops.

Early works starting soon

Major construction on the Union Road and Mont Albert Road level crossing removal project is scheduled to start in 2022, with early works commencing in the second half of 2021.

Early works will involve minor works throughout the area that need to be completed before major construction activities can begin.

This will include setting up site offices, installing temporary fencing, removing vegetation that is impacted by construction, and moving utilities like sewers, water pipes and rains out of the way.

To store equipment and supplies, we’ll set up site compounds and storage along the rail corridor, in Lorne Parade Reserve and at a temporary storage areas at Surrey Park.

We’ll let the community know well in advance of any upcoming disruptions or changes in the local area.

Union Road and Mont Albert Road site investigations

• We undertook 6 months of site investigations
• We identified water, gas, sewerage, telecommunications, drainage and rail assets and services
• We located 143 underground services
• We dug 191 holes up to 20m deep

Project timeline

Early 2021

• First phase of community engagement completed

Mid 2021

• Updated designs released
• Further community engagement
• Early works begin

2022

• Final designs released
• Major construction begins

2023

• Level crossings gone for good

*Timeline above is subject to change