Improving transport and stations on Victoria’s busiest regional rail line

Bridges replace level crossings for safer transport

Introducing two rail bridges at Fyans Street and Surf Coast Highway has removed the two level crossings, eliminated bottlenecks in the road and rail networks and connected communities either side of the track with high-quality public spaces.

At Fyans Street, our design team reconfigured the road network, shifting the bridge 700 metres from its original position. This allowed for a more intuitive road layout and larger open spaces for public use. The team’s through-girder design for the central span enabled a lower rail alignment, reducing visual and noise impacts on the surrounding community while also reducing the volume of material used during construction.

For the Surf Coast Highway crossing, we adopted a standardised U-trough design, achieving a lower track alignment while using the cost and supply benefits of an established construction approach. This was integrated with a design and construction strategy which minimised rail disruption and limited road closures to just five weeks in total.

New stations shape and define community precincts

South Geelong and Marshall Stations have been transformed into modern, accessible, user-friendly transport hubs. We provided multidisciplinary technical expertise within a highly collaborative team to ensure best-practice design outcomes.

The stations feature architecturally striking design, additional platforms and high-capacity overpasses with lifts and ramps for improved accessibility. Distinctive placemaking elements enhance the user experience and celebrate local history, including feature canopies at South Geelong Station and heritage displays showcasing local precast manufacturing at Marshall Station.

The stations’ upgrades significantly boost transport capacity. South Geelong Station is now better equipped to handle smoother crowd movements to the adjacent 40,000-seat Kardinia Park Stadium.

Inviting public spaces around the stations incorporate artwork by First Nations artists, greenery and seating areas. The project also integrates five kilometres of new shared user paths and secure cycle facilities at the stations, promoting active and sustainable transportation.

Collaborating with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners

The Djilang Alliance is named after the traditional Wadawurrung name for Geelong; Djilang meaning a ‘Tongue of Land’.

From the outset, we prioritised the voices of Traditional Owners, drawing on the knowledge and culture of the Wadawurrung peoples. A First Nations consultant joined the Djilang Alliance team to ensure a culturally rich approach was embedded in the design and public realm.

In close collaboration with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, we developed the Urban Design and Creative Strategy, integrating local and First Nations artworks into the stations, bridges and public spaces.

Native and Indigenous plantings create engaging community spaces at the Gathering Circle at South Geelong Station and along the shared user paths connecting to the Surf Coast Highway.

Retaining walls near Fyans Street display abstract patterns that reference Indigenous plants and culture, creating opportunities for an enduring connection with Country.

Corridor development with a community sense of place

Our landscape architecture and urban design expertise has transformed this rail corridor into a high-quality public realm with a sense of place.

The station precincts are designed to encourage people to come together in safe, inclusive environments. The station designs incorporate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to provide natural navigation for all users.

The project enhances local ecology with ten hectares of native grassland, water-sensitive urban design features and the strategic planting of close to 5,000 trees, which will provide natural shading and intuitively guide users to the station entrances.

A five-kilometre network of new shared user paths connects to existing trails, including the Bellarine Rail Trail, promoting active travel between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds. This integrated approach creates a connected, user-friendly transit experience that fosters community interaction and environmental sustainability.

All images © Level Crossing Removal Project