Waurn Ponds station car park to be finished this year

THE state government says its upgrades to the car park at Waurn Ponds Railway Station are scheduled to be finished by the end of the year.

The works to create more than 90 new spaces and seal 120 existing gravel spaces, started nearly four months ago.

Two new access points to the station car park are being 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.

The extra 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.

“Work is progressing on the upgrade to Waurn Ponds Station, starting with an upgrade to the car park to provide more than 200 new and upgraded parking spaces for passengers,” South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said.

“We’ve been able to continue construction on the station’s carpark upgrade during coronavirus restrictions to ensure more new spaces are available for this growing community.

“The upgrade to Waurn Ponds Station is the first step in the staged upgrade of the Geelong Line as we deliver more frequent and reliable services for passengers.”

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.