Wendouree Station will gain a second platform and new tracks as part of the $551.8 million project which is set to be completed in 2019. 

The station will also gain a new pedestrian crossing linking the two platforms as well as upgrades to security, lighting and signage. 

The additional upgrade will help to fix a common problem on the Ballarat line where Wendouree customers are forced onto coaches from Ballarat Station due to the fact trains cannot pass one another between the two stations. 

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In a statement Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the upgrades would provide “more frequent, reliable services to people travelling to Ballarat and beyond”.

“These upgrades will make a huge difference to people in Wendouree and right along the line, boosting services and reducing delays,” Ms Allan said. 

The consortium comprised of Lendlease, Coleman Rail and SMEC Australia will also deliver a further three kilometres of track between Bacchus Marsh Station and Rowsley Station Road in Maddingley instead of the three kilometres of duplicated track which had been planned for Warrenheip. 

While preliminary works on the project began earlier in the year, the bulk of the project which is being overseen by Melbourne Metro Rail Authority is expected to begin in early 2018. 

Public Transport Users Association Ballarat convener Ben Lever said the new platform would make it a lot easier for trips to start and terminate from Wendouree Station. 

“It will be particularly interesting to see how much track is duplicated between Wendouree and Ballarat because that will stop a lot of the delays we usually see,” Mr Lever said. 

The addition to Wendouree Station will be the third new platform installed as part of the Ballarat Line Upgrade, with Ballan and Bacchus Marsh also gaining a second stage as part of the development.