New Hopkins Road train station proposed for Ballarat line in Melbourne's west

Construction of the suburb south-east of Rockbank is set to begin later this year and is expected to house as many as 22,000 residents within 15 years.   

Developers Mt Atkinson Holdings have already allocated land for a Hopkins Road railway station near the Western Freeway which would be located between the Rockbank and Caroline Springs stations. 

While a timeline for the station’s delivery has not been outlined, Planning Minister Richard Wynne said “we want to ensure the timely delivery of the railway station as part of the development of this precinct going forward”.  

The announcement comes after the Victorian Auditor General’s report into the V/Line network revealed patronage on western lines such as Ballarat had jumped by 102 per cent in the past decade.  More than a quarter of services on the Ballarat line ran at 100 per cent capacity between July 2016 and March 2017.   

Melton City mayor Sophie Ramsey said while Mt Atkinson was one of three future stops along the Ballarat line, she didn’t think they could be opened until after electrification of the Melton line was completed. 

While the state government had pledged $518 million in upgrades to the Ballarat line including duplication of the line between Melton and Deer Park, it is yet to announce funding for electrification. 

“At the moment the line is almost at a maximum capacity which is why it needs duplication before we can entertain adding other stops,” Cr Ramsey said.

Infrastructure Australia audit data shows demand on the Melton line is expected to grow to three times its current capacity in the coming 14 years.  Earlier this year the Caroline Springs station was opened, reaching near-capacity almost instantly. 

Committee for Ballarat chair Janet Dore said the growth meant Melton electrification and express sub-hour Ballarat services were now imperative.