Hawkestowe station to be built on Mernda rail extension

A THIRD train station will be built as part of the Mernda rail extension in Melbourne’s north, with the new 8km line to be opened in 2019.

An artist’s impression of the Mernda rail line extension.

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AN extra train station will be built as part of the Mernda rail extension with the new 8km line to be opened in 2019.

Three new stations will be built with the almost $600 million extension of the South Morang line.

Premier Daniel Andrews this morning announced the extra station, and that John Holland will build the extension.

An overhead map of the Mernda rail line extension. It will include a mix of elevated, ground level, and underground tracks.

The new Hawkstowe station is in addition to the two new stations already announced in Mernda and near Marymede Catholic College.

The three stations are expected to be used by more than 8000 passengers a day.

The project is expected to create up to 3000 jobs — 1200 directly during construction and as many as 1800 indirectly in suppliers and other businesses.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allen (left), Mill Park MP Lily D'Ambrisio, Premier Daniel Andrews and Yan Yean MP Danielle Green at this morning’s announcement. Picture: Josie Hayden

The project includes new walking and cycling paths, better bus connections, and train stabling in Mernda.

Construction of the rail extension will begin next year, and trains will be running on the new line by 2019.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allen said there would be no new level crossings created through the project.

She said at Mernda the station would be constructed as the town centre was being built around it.

”There will be stabling of the trains at Mernda, the end of the line, creating important jobs in the community,” Ms Allen said.

On questions of overflow parking at South Morang. Ms Allen said it would be important that many more car parking spaces be created.

She said there would be a need to monitor usage and confirmed that the three stations would open at the same time.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the government was able to build three stations “for the price of two”.

A map produced before today’s announcement, showing the Hawkestowe station.

“The Mernda Rail Extension will change people’s lives for the better — creating work for thousands of people, and connecting one of Australia’s fastest growing communities to employment, education and the rest of Victoria,” Mr Andrews said.

He said the move was all about making sure the suburbs had the infrastructure they needed and that the exension was a local project, “one that’s come from the local community”.

Mr Andrews said 3000 jobs would be created as part of the project with work starting early next year and trains running early 2019.

Yan Yean MP Danielle Green said: “This project will create thousands of jobs and connect thousands of locals in Mernda, Doreen and Whittlesea to work, education and each other. We’re putting people first and getting it done.”