Car park upgrades begin at Waurn Ponds station

WORKS have begun on the first stage of the car park upgrade at Waurn Ponds station, which is part of the wider upgrade of the station and the Geelong railway line.
The works will create more than 90 new spaces and seal 120 existing gravel spaces.
Two new access points to the station car park will be built, off Sugargum Drive between Oakwood Crescent and Mumm Street, and via Rossack Drive. The new car park will also have improved safety features including lighting and CCTV.
The first stage of work began on August 25, focusing on major works to the gravel and overflow car parks to the east. These sections will be closed to the public while work is done and will reopen later this year.
The boost to car parking spaces will be the first of several new features at Waurn Ponds Station. The upgrade will also include a second track and platform, an accessible pedestrian overpass with lifts, stairs and ramps connecting the two platforms and an expanded station forecourt with a new drop-off zone and secure bike storage.
Local contractors have been used on site for preliminary works. Colac family-owned business R Slater & Sons delivered the relocation of water main pipes, and North Geelong’s QEST Environments provided utility locating services to assist the safe delivery of the project.
“We’re thrilled to see construction starting on the car park upgrade at Waurn Ponds, which will greatly increase capacity at the station,” South Barwon Labor MP Darren Cheeseman said.
“We are completing the largest section of car park works first to help provide the benefits to the community sooner, and to minimise disruption while travel is reduced during coronavirus restrictions.
“Much of this work is being done by business based in the region, which gives a huge boost to the local economy.”
More than 320 people have worked about 90,000 hours since the construction site was established
in June.
The full station upgrade is scheduled to be finished in late 2021 as part of the state government’s Regional Rail Revival project.
For more information about the project, head to regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au/geelong.