Victorians will soon get their first glimpse of the restored façade of Flinders Street Station, lovingly repaired as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $100 million upgrade of the iconic building.
Minister for Major Projects Jacinta Allan today inspected works inside the historic clock tower – the first time it has been possible since the station was built more than a century ago.
The glass clock faces and hand have been taken away for restoration and an internal steel frame has been built to strengthen the tower to protect it for the next century.
The iconic view of the station’s clock on the Flinders Street intersection will be back by Christmas as scaffolding on the north side will be gradually removed from tomorrow until May 2018.
More than 5,000 litres of paint and 3.5 tons of mortar have been used in the restoration of the beloved building, and 700 windows have been restored and painted.
The roof has also been waterproofed and the whole building has been stabilised to protect it for the future.
When the repainting is complete at the end of this year, Victorians and those visiting Melbourne will see the station restored in its 1910 original colours.
The Labor Government project will also make the station more user-friendly for the 26 million passengers that travel through it each year.
The main concourse and Elizabeth Street subway toilets have already been refurbished, brighter lighting has been installed on all platforms and works around the western end of the station are well underway.
The project will create more than 80 jobs and is set to be complete in the second half of 2018. For more information, visit development.vic.gov.au/projects/flinders-street-station
Quotes attributable to Minister for Major Projects Jacinta Allan
“The scaffolding will start coming down tomorrow, revealing the beautiful façade of Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Station – lovingly restored as part of our $100 million upgrade of this historic building.”
“For the first time in a century we got up to the clock tower to restore and repair the historic clock – protecting it for the future.”
“Flinders Street is the heart of our train system and the heart of our city – we’re restoring it and making it more accessible, safe and user friendly for passengers.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020