Melbourne’s new train stations are about to open!

Yesterday, after my last auction, I wandered around Arden station. Metro released some earlybird tickets for the train-enthusiasts among us, and I took the opportunity to inspect the new underground station in the quiet streets of North Melbourne, between bustling Errol Street and the Macaulay Road bridge.

While the enormity of the concourse and the sheer width of the platform caught my attention, it was the connectivity that the new stations create that caused me to consider the positive impact this huge civil investment will have on plenty of neighbourhoods.

I’ve written about the project before, but now that the opening of the Metro Tunnel is almost upon, the immediate beneficiaries come to mind. First and foremost, Arden is a new precinct with plenty of activity looming in the pipeline. Tenders are currently out for housing plans on the government-owned sites and the next ten years are earmarked for construction and development.

Secondly, the connectivity to Melbourne’s inner-north means that the university and hospital precincts will be serviced by rail. Commute times for hospital workers and those attending Melbourne University are going to decrease significantly for many.

The new line will also enable passengers travelling on the Sunbury line to take a continuous train to other major south-eastern stations such as Caulfield (home to a Monash University campus), and Clayton (convenient for those commuting to the main south eastern hospital and the largest Monash University campus).

The new station on St Kilda Road can’t be overlooked. Anzac station will enable some of the 10,000 St Kilda Road residents to commute via train also.

Importantly, those who live within walking distance to rail will benefit from the increased services, optimised travel times, and better connectivity around our city.

We often meet with clients who have made the decision to rely on just one vehicle within their household. Particularly in the inner and middle ring suburbs, this trend seems to be increasing. For some inner-suburban dwellers, the decision not to have a car at all is on the rise. Homebuyers cite their ability to contribute more funds to a deposit when making the decision to rely on public transport. Like any positive change that is introduced to a neighbourhood, the increased number of buyers who circle a car-less lifestyle will ultimately place upward price pressure on these high amenity areas.