Deer Park’s new station is the first in Victoria with a rooftop garden as part of works to deliver a greener, more sustainable station precinct for commuters in Melbourne’s west.
Following the removal of the Mt Derrimut Road, Deer Park level crossing in April, the project team has started planting more than 5500 native grasses and wildflowers on top of the station buildings, which are visible from the station forecourt and the Melbourne-bound platforms.
With a focus on flowering native plants such as the rock correa, rounded noon flower, blueberry lily and eutaxia, the rooftop garden will help to reduce the heat island effect of the station buildings, reduce storm water runoff, and improve water quality.
More than 50,000 trees, shrubs and grasses will have been planted in the station precinct when works are completed.
The Mt Derrimut Road level crossing was removed via a 1.2km rail bridge and a new, elevated Deer Park Station opened with an air-conditioned waiting room for commuters, secure bicycle parking and a V/Line ticketing office.
Since then, construction crews have been working to complete the station precinct, including a new bus interchange, station forecourts, new and upgraded car parks, and landscaping works.
Works on the station precinct will continue following the planting of the rooftop garden.
Ramps are now open to both platforms and lift access is available at both platforms.
The project team will then complete works on the southern car park and finish off the new bus interchange over the coming weeks, providing additional car parking for commuters and increasing access to public transport services.
There will be 150 new and upgraded car parks in the station precinct when the works are completed later this year.
Mt Derrimut Road was the 68th level crossing removed, and in addition to level crossing removals at Fitzgerald Road, Ardeer and Robinsons Road, Deer Park, its removal has made the Geelong and Ballarat lines level crossing free between Deer Park and the city.
