People living in Melbourne’s booming outer north will be connected to train services for the first time, with the Andrews Labor Government getting on with the Mernda Rail Extension.
The Victorian Budget provides $587.7 million to fully fund and deliver the project.
The project will build around eight kilometres of duplicated track between South Morang and Mernda, and stabling facilities for trains north of Bridge Inn Road.
A new Premium Station will be built in Mernda, a second will be built near Marymede Catholic College, and bidders have been asked to price a third station near Hawkstowe Parade.
The Mernda Rail Extension is being delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Authority and is due for completion in 2019, fulfilling a key election commitment of the Andrews Labor Government.
The new rail services will be bolstered by a new bus network, which will be better coordinated with trains and provide more extensive, frequent and direct services in South Morang, Doreen and Mernda.
The first of these services will start on 1 May, with the full network set to be implemented in the middle of the year.
Mernda Rail builds on the former Labor Government’s extension of the Epping line to South Morang.
The project received critical planning funding last year that enabled technical, heritage and ecological investigations, and extensive community consultation to take place.
Expressions of interest for the design and construction of the project were sought from the market in February, and work will start next year.
For further information and project updates, visit
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“Locals wanted Mernda Rail and we’re getting it done.”
“These are some of the fastest growing suburbs in Victoria. The rail line is desperately needed to ensure people in these booming communities can get to school and work.”
Quotes from Chair Mernda Rail Community Reference Group Danielle Green
"This year’s Budget confirms again that Labor is wasting no time in keeping its Mernda Rail promise and that it's on track to take passengers in 2018/19."
"Thanks to all the locals who have campaigned so hard for Mernda Rail and who've had their say in community consultations about stations, car parking, connecting buses and bike paths."
Reviewed 19 August 2020