'Amazing idea': locals back push for Armstrong Creek rail

ARMSTRONG Creek locals have shared their support for a train station to be developed in the southern Geelong suburb.

The existing Geelong V/Line service stops in Marshall and Waurn Ponds, skipping over the growth area.

A station for Armstrong Creek – which is helping to drive Geelong’s status as one of Australia’s fastest growing regional cities – was back on the agenda at the City of Greater Geelong’s February council meeting, at which councillors endorsed a revised wish list of priority projects ahead of the 2026 state election.

Armstrong Creek residents need to travel to Marshall or Waurn Ponds station in order to catch a V/Line service. Photo: Supplied

The 4 Tier Priority Projects report identified the Armstrong Creek spur line, a 2km track extension from Marshall station into the Armstong Creek town centre, as one of four major transport projects in need of state funding.

Armstrong Creek resident Toni Gauntlett is in full support of the project.

“I think it would be an amazing idea,” she said.

“We’ve got lots of young families who have moved into the area so it really supports them move within the community and improves the infrastructure.

“I think for the older generations as well, being able to get into Geelong or event to Melbourne would be such a life saver.”

Armstrong Creek resident Toni Gauntlett says an Armstrong Creek train station is an ‘amazing’ idea. Photo: Tahlia Sinclair

Gauntlett said commuting workers would also benefit from the line, helping to free up major arterial roads across the area.

Luch Bernhard said an Armstrong Creek station would make travelling more accessible.

“I caught the V/Line for the very first time into the city on Saturday and it was a bit of work getting to the station.

“You have to leave the car and getting an Uber to get the car back. It’d be great for everyone, the area is exploding with people commuting to get to work in Melbourne.

“It’d be great, 100 per cent.”

Rorie Lamaro is hopeful an Armstrong Creek train station will eventuate. Photo: Tahlia Sinclair

Rorie Lamaro echoed the frustrations of travelling to Marshall or Waurn Ponds to catch a train, saying the current system “sucks”.

“It would be so good, so handy,” Lamaro said.

“Marshall and Waurn Ponds are so far from each other, it’d be much easier to get one right in the middle.”

The city’s report estimates travel time from an Armstrong Creek station to central Geelong would be just 11 minutes, decreasing average travel time by close to a third.

In addition to the Armstrong Creek spur line, the city called on the state government to fund the re-establishment of a Geelong to Werribee train line and development of a Geelong to Bannockburn line.