Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach Stations

The design of the stations celebrates the historic barrier dune that once separated Port Phillip Bay and the expansive Carrum Carrum wetlands. A palette of sandy tones and eroded sloping forms pays homage to the rolling dunes. Each entrance to the stations is marked by either a beacon or canopy, which through collaboration with the Traditional Owners, convey aspects of their rich history and the importance of this place to First Nations people.

While conceived as a family, each station responds uniquely to its context. Chelsea Station embraces its role at the centre of a civic and retail hub. Generous canopies and a planted forecourt with a bus interchange distinguish Chelsea to commuters passing through the suburb. An additional pedestrian bridge integrating a refurbished historic clock tower increases connection from backyards to beach. At Bonbeach, the pedestrian overpass has been aligned with Monica Ave to focus bay views through a framed picture window. The journey from the main station entrance to the Bonbeach retail strip is enlivened with an arbour, sculpted shelters, and a unique artwork “The Bonbeach Bird”. The subtle grey-green colouring of the rail trench screens, stairs and overpass bridge screening at Edithvale reference the tones of coastal vegetation native to the shoreline.

The site is significantly constrained between the Nepean Hwy and Station Street – the narrowest sites of any LXRP project to date. In balancing the challenges of the narrow site and endeavouring to minimise excavation depth and therefore impact on hydro-geological conditions, a unique ‘half in – half out’ rail solution has been developed. This arrangement means waiting commuters are closer to street level with more natural light and greatly improved passive surveillance compared to platforms located deeper in a trench. The stations have three entries to each platform to broaden passenger catchment, and a stair and lift located at the centre of the station provides universal access and creates an additional public pedestrian bridge across the rail corridor to enhance cross-connectivity. The pursuit of the narrowest possible station design has freed enough space to deliver a continuous shared user path within the rail corridor, creating kilometres of new bike infrastructure.

The stations feature solar panels on station building roofs, tank captured water, and long-life material selection. The unique layout has minimised excavation and the depth of retaining walls, significantly reducing material quantities as well as the overall benefits of increased usage of public and active transport, and reduced usage of private vehicular transport.