VIC South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication nears construction

Construction on the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication on the Geelong Line in Victoria is a step closer to commencing following the appointment of the Djilang Alliance to deliver the project. 

The Djilang Alliance is comprised of McConnell Dowell Constructors Pty Ltd, Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd, Arup Australia Projects Pty Ltd and WSP Australia Pty Ltd. The contract is set to be awarded by mid-2022.

This project is part of a more than $1 billion investment on rail upgrade projects between Geelong and Waurn Ponds, funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments. 

“The Australian Government is committed to delivering this important project – which is another step closer to boosting the number of train services on the Geelong Line. 

“The South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication will provide a huge benefit to passengers, while creating jobs and providing much-needed boost to the economy. It’s great to see this project progressing, with more frequent and reliable services on the way for passengers,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said. 

The South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication project will include: 

• Duplicating approximately eight kilometres of track between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds 
• Rebuilding South Geelong and Marshall stations featuring new station buildings and forecourts, second platforms and accessible pedestrian overpasses 
• Removal of the level crossings at Fyans Street and Surf Coast Highway and replace them with elevated rail bridges 
• Signalling upgrades between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds 
• More than five kilometres of new shared user paths linking to existing trails and paths and creating a continuous connection between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds 
• A business case to determine the infrastructure required to deliver even more services, including upgrades to the rail tunnel between Geelong and South Geelong and the rail line over the Barwon River 

In addition, more than 200 new parking spaces will be delivered at Marshall Station to accommodate the growing communities south of Geelong. 

“We’re getting on with this important project to deliver more frequent and reliable services along our state’s busiest regional rail line and get passengers where they need to go. 

“Removing these level crossings and building elevated rail bridges will provide a huge benefit to the community – slashing travel times and easing congestion for thousands of motorists as they travel throughout the area,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said. 

Concept designs for the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication were released last year, providing locals with a first glimpse of what the project will look like once completed. Over 500 locals have provided feedback and further community consultation sessions will be held in the coming weeks to inform of the final design of the project. 

“Kick-started by the Coalition Government in 2016, the Waurn Ponds to South Geelong rail duplication is a game changer for Geelong’s fast growing southern suburbs. 

“Removing the single line ‘bottleneck’ will also deliver faster and more reliable train services on the Melbourne to Warrnambool line,” Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said. 

According to State Member for Geelong Christine Couzens, the community plays a key role in helping shape the development of the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication project. 

“This project will give passengers the frequent and more reliable train services they need and deserve. 

“We’re looking forward to engaging with locals to inform the project’s final design and make sure it delivers for a growing Geelong community,” Ms Couzens said. 

Early works will commence soon on the project, including relocating the Barwon Water pipeline to allow key sections of track to be duplicated between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds. 

Major construction activities are due to commence later this year and be completed by late 2024. 

This duplication project is part of a staged program of improvements on the Geelong Line, which includes upgrades to the Waurn Ponds Station and Waurn Ponds stabling. 

“The Geelong line is Victoria’s fastest-growing and busiest regional rail corridor – that's why we’re getting on with this project to make it easier for passengers to travel. 

“Passengers are already benefitting from the transformed Waurn Ponds Station forecourt and car park, with further improvements to be delivered this year, including the new second platform, new track and an accessible pedestrian overpass,” State Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said. 

More than $4 billion has been invested by the Australian and Victorian Governments in upgrades across every regional passenger rail line in the State, which creates over 3,000 jobs as well as local supplier opportunities. 

The two governments have also invested $2 billion each towards the first stage of the Geelong Fast Rail project that aims to slash travel times between Geelong and Melbourne by about 15 minutes. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Victoria’s Big Build – Regional Rail Revival (1, 2)