Following community and stakeholder feedback, the Victorian government has amended its development plan for the first of five new underground stations that will serve the Metro Tunnel Project.
The community is being invited to comment on the new design by making an online submission by 27 August.
Some of the proposed changes include retaining an extra 15 trees and creating a new series of grassed areas.
The updated plan also features a separate raised bike path running along the west side of the station on Laurens Street, repositioned entry gates and ramps, as well as provision of more space for vehicles on a widened Station Lane.
Victorian transport infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan released a statement on Monday, describing the redevelopment of the Arden Station precinct as a key part of the government’s vision for the Metro Tunnel Project.
“[The project] will open up this side of the city to business and residential use, bringing housing and employment opportunities alongside the growth of Victoria’s innovation economy,” Allan said.
The Arden Station precinct design has been inspired by Melbourne’s industrial heritage and its entrance will be flanked by 15 brick arches, to be constructed off-site and installed at the station in coming months.
Upon completion, the government hopes the precinct will play a leading role in stimulating the state’s ‘knowledge and innovation economy, which is expected to include up to 34,000 jobs and be home to around 15,000 residents by 2050.
“Arden Station was where we launched our first tunnel boring machine almost two years ago, and with tunnelling now complete we’ll see the station take shape in coming months and years,” Allan said.
The Metro Tunnel will see five underground stations built to connect the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
It will ultimately create additional public transport capacity for an extra 500,00 commuters during peak hour and will eventually provide a direct train link to Melbourne Airport Rail.
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