By Matthew Sims
A project to restore and repurpose the North Williamstown station has entered its final leg.
As part of the Ferguson Street level crossing removal project, crews have been undertaking landscaping and finishing works on blending the old building from the early 1900s with a new and modern style.
The new North Williamstown station precinct has incorporated the original red brick station on the city-bound platform, using about 2500 recycled bricks.
The landscapers have salvaged bluestone pavers and red bricks from the station building on the eastern side for the new station forecourt.
Work to renovate and restore the original station building, such as replacing rotting timbers, repairing masonry and replacing crumbling brickwork, uncovered two fireplaces stacked neatly below existing ones.
Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said she was happy to see the original building and other elements of the former station into the refurbished structures.
“Williamstown is one of Melbourne’s oldest areas and I’m thrilled the project to remove the dangerous level crossing at Ferguson Street has been able to preserve and incorporate this region’s historical significance into the new station,” she said.
“Major works to remove the level crossing and build the new North Williamstown station are now
complete for all the community to enjoy.
“We have also installed public artwork, opened a new shared use path, bike Parkiteer, seating and landscaping.”
Steel arbour structures from the old station have also been repurposed in the new station forecourt, with wires fitted so that climbing plant varieties can grow over them.
Program director Tony Hedley said it was a “lengthy yet satisfying endeavour”.
“We worked brick by brick to restore and re-grout the structure, using around 2,500 recycled bricks,” he said.
“The original building wasn’t built with earthquakes in mind, but the works we’ve completed will make it far less susceptible to any future tremors.”
