Project Contact
Andrew Hayes
Adelaide O’Connor
Alan Nargessi
Amil Alhasan
Arshia Ebadi
Colin Wilson
Diana Ong
Elissa Ashaari
Emad Elessawy
Jean Zhang
Kelvin Kong
Kristen Wang
Mark Marcelino
Martinus Wiriyanto
Matthew Ellis
Michael Hourigan
Nazanin Shaigan
Nicholas Miltos
Peter Demajo
Pruthvish Patel
Rae Ong
Samuel Chesbrough
Vanessa Jackson
Mentone and Cheltenham Stations
South East Melbourne, Victoria
The Southern Program Alliance’s mission to remove level crossings while creating new stations is improving safety, reducing congestion and enhancing services along the Frankston line.
Two of the new stations include Mentone and Cheltenham, the design of each recognising the role that stations play in their communities as key public spaces and local infrastructure.
COX Director, Andrew Hayes
The Level Crossing Removal projects represent a story of connection and a demonstration of how infrastructure projects can become catalysts for new public places.
Mentone Station and Heritage Deck
Named after Menton, a town in the South of France, the suburb was formed in the early 1800s to attract European immigrants seeking community and a familiar seaside lifestyle. The design of the new station aimed to strengthen the ties the residents had with their peers and their suburb.
The first step was to relocate the station. Shifting it south, closer to the town square, an additional connection was established across the rail corridor. These new pathways encourage varied movement throughout the public space while opening safer channels of travel – namely for those travelling to the six schools within the community.
The design draws upon the original goal of creating a sense of character and community. Terraces with generous connecting stairs for open civic spaces keep to the suburb’s European references as do the materials, colour palette and flora.
An Indigenous co-design process shaped the station such as the geometric patterns in the forecourt, the traditional symbols for man and woman, denoting a place of communal gathering.
A key element of the project was the rejuvenation and extension of Mentone Gardens and reuse of the original timber heritage rail station buildings. The rail deck that sits between old and new is now utilised as a place for community functions.
Cheltenham Station
With a similar village feel, Cheltenham Station is situated at a unique interface between town centre, bushland and the settler’s cemetery.
The idea of the station serving as a gateway is a visual signal and reminder to the community of the various paths and destinations throughout town. With the involvement of the local council, auxiliary land and garden spaces were implemented to expand on the public spaces within the station’s design.
Cheltenham Station Car Park
Cheltenham Station’s new forecourt and 4-storey multilevel carpark includes green space, a new parkiteer for secure bike storage, seating, landscaping including retention of the much-loved palm trees, and safe access to the Charman Road shopping village and public transport. The forecourt also provides direct access between Charman Road and Cheltenham Park.
Parking at Cheltenham Station is now more accessible for commuters with over 200 spaces in the new multilevel car park, as well as additional spaces throughout the station precinct.
The improved precinct connects to a new 3.5km walking and cycling path between Cheltenham and Mentone, making it easier for people to walk and cycle around their local area and helping make Cheltenham a safer and more vibrant area.
