Flinders Street Station

Key details

Location
Flinders Street Station, Melbourne

Policy objective
Social and economic development

Client
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions

Overview

Development Victoria initiated a revitalisation project of Flinders Street Station, with an investment of $100 million by the Victorian Government to make the station more functional for passengers.

This was the first major refurbishment works here since the 1980s.

In mid-February 2015, the Victorian Government announced that funds will be provided for urgent refurbishment works to station platforms, entrances, toilets, and information displays.

Without these refurbishment works, parts of the station would become unsafe, and eventually unsalvageable.

An additional business case is being developed for the repair of the old ballroom and other derelict parts of the building, with a view to bringing in new tenants and creating an exciting commercial precinct.

4,000,000 bricks cleaned, repaired and repointed

4 glass dials replaced on clock tower

600 windows inspected

Flinders Street Station Unveils New LED Lighting - July 2018

Outcomes

Heritage works

Repairing and restoring the facade and roof
Making the building structurally sound
Making the building watertight
Conserving and stabilising the building structure
Restoring the heritage clock tower and heritage elements
Repainting the building, consistent with heritage requirements

Improvements for passengers

Improving access to the station precinct and between platforms to address growing pedestrian congestion issues
Installing next-generation Myki equipment
Upgrading lighting and the addition of new passenger information displays
Rebuilding toilet facilities
Revamping ticket offices at the Flinders Street and Elizabeth Street entrances
Installing a giant timetable board facing Federation Square and the tram interchange

Awards

The Flinders Street Station received a Heritage National Commendation at the 2019 National Australian Institute of Architects Awards.

The Project also won Best Commercial Exterior award at the 2019 Dulux Colour Awards.

Location

Flinders Street Station is one of Melbourne’s most recognisable landmarks and has always played an important part in the city’s history.

Located on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets in Melbourne, the station serves the entire metropolitan rail network.

complete civic State Netball and Hockey Centre

complete civic Palais Theatre

History

Originally known as Melbourne Terminus, Flinders Street Station was opened on 12 September 1854. It was the first railway station built in any Australian city.

Platform 1 used to be home to the Milk Dock and the Parcels Office and until 1986, most of Melbourne’s milk was unloaded there from Gippsland.

The first terminus had a single platform that was 30 metres long. Flinders Street Station is now home to the longest platform in Australia at 708 meters, and a total of 14 platforms servicing Melbourne's various train lines.

By 1926, Flinders Street Station became the busiest passenger station in the world. On 11 January 1922, The Argus Newspaper reported 200,000 passengers passed through the station in a single day.

The distinctive clocks under the main dome that show the departure times of the next trains date back to the 1860s, and continue to display departure times today. The steps underneath the clocks have been a well-known meeting place for many years.

Above Flinders Street Station on the third floor is an abandoned ballroom in which dance classes, ballroom competitions and concerts where held. During WWII, dances were held for Allied servicemen. In the 50s and 60s, it was one of the most popular dance halls in Melbourne. The last dance was held 10 September 1983. It has been closed off to the public ever since.

Updated on 26 May 2023