Victorian Government backs rail development plans

Victoria’s state government has committed $8 million over the next two years to further developing plans for a series of projects along Melbourne’s Richmond to Footscray rail route.

Featured projects include the E-Gate development, Federation Square East, the Flinders Street Station redevelopment and the Richmond Station Precinct.

Last year, designs by Hassell and Herzog & De Meuron won a competition to come up with the public’s favourite concept for a redeveloped Flinders Street Station.

Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said: “The Coalition Government’s vision is to transform Melbourne by unlocking underutilised land along the rail corridor.”

He added: “This funding will allow business planning for visionary projects including the area currently known as E-Gate, for Federation Square East, for Richmond Station and Flinders Street station.

“E-Gate, for example, could revitalise one of the last remaining industrial spaces in the central city to create a new suburb of around 5,000 dwellings for up to 10,000 residents over the next 15-20 years.

“At Federation Square East, the Coalition Government is looking to fill a hole in Melbourne’s landscape by creating a new commercial, residential and civic precinct connecting the CBD to the Yarra River and our sporting precinct, including Melbourne Park.

“The Flinders Street Station project aims to improve the station and cater for future patronage growth while protecting its heritage, developing its underutilised western end, revitalise the Administration Building, and increase connectivity with surrounding precincts.

“A redevelopment of Richmond station could provide much better pedestrian access to Melbourne’s sport and entertainment precinct.”




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