By Ewen McRae
Cobblebank Station is ready to receive its first passengers, with the brand new stop officially opening its doors next week.
Coinciding with the start of a new timetable on Dember 2, the station will accommodate 285 services each week.
The station will feature two undercover platforms, both with lift and ramp accessibility, CCTV, indoor waiting rooms and toilets, car parking for 190 vehicles, a bus bay and a staffed office.
The station has also been future proofed, with land between the entrance and the first platform left vacant to accommodate a third platform in future.
Speaking earlier this month, local MP Steve McGhie said it was exciting to finally be opening the new station.
“We’re giving Melton passengers more transport options with new train and bus services to help get them were they need to go and home again,” he said.
“We promised to deliver Cobblebank station and that’s exactly what we’re doing. I want to thank locals as we get on and finishing delivering this vital project.”
The newest station to the Ballarat Line has been under construction for the past year, and will host an open day on December 1 ahead of it’s first services the following morning.
The day will run from 10am to 2pm, and feature activities for the kids including a jumping castle, face painting, and roving entertainers.
The day will also feature a science and technology display in partnership with Western BACE and Melton South Primary School, where children can experiment with a host of new technologies, such as drones, robotics, virtual reality and 3D printing.
Attendees can look forward to a free sausage sizzle, coffee and ice cream as part of the celebrations.
