Keon Park Station
Keon Park Station operates as a contemporary civic gateway on Melbourne’s Mernda Line, approximately 14 kilometres north-east of the CBD, serving the suburb of Thomastown at the boundary of the Cities of Whittlesea and Darebin. The project was delivered by the North Western Program Alliance (NWPA) as part of the Keon Parade Level Crossing Removal, with the VIDA Rail as client. The station replaces a constrained at-grade facility with an elevated rail and concourse, eliminating a dangerous level crossing at Keon Parade and transforming a previously fragmented corridor into a safer, more connected piece of public infrastructure.
The station is underpinned by a clear and legible conceptual framework that translates the character of the surrounding parklands into built form. In anticipation of newly planted landscapes maturing over time, the architecture establishes an immediate sense of place through a “virtual landscape.” A robust ceramic tiling system in light green, dark green and yellow wraps key public elements, animating the station and softening the scale of the concrete viaduct. This carefully calibrated use of colour delivers both identity and wayfinding, allowing the station to read as a distinctive civic marker within a challenging context defined by a multi-lane arterial road and adjacent industrial development.
Keon Park Station contributes strongly to the public and cultural domain. The station precinct is defined by generous forecourts, open sightlines and intuitive circulation, promoting safety, comfort and ease of use. Perforated aluminium balustrade and privacy screens extend along the viaduct, continuing an Indigenous Co-Design language established elsewhere on the Mernda Line. These elements provide necessary visual screening to neighbouring residences while reinforcing a broader corridor-wide identity and cultural continuity.
The relationship between built form and context is carefully resolved. The relocation of the station to the southern side of Keon Parade re-establishes direct connections with surrounding residential areas and removes the need for passengers to navigate multiple traffic crossings. Dual, symmetrical entrances respond to current demand while future-proofing the station for growth, and direct links to bus services, shared use paths and cycling infrastructure support seamless multimodal travel.
Programmatically, the station is designed for clarity, efficiency and inclusivity. A centralised arrangement of lifts, switchback stairs and emergency egress routes ensures equitable access and intuitive movement. Elevated concourse podiums connect stair mid-landings, eliminating residual spaces and enhancing visibility across the station. Circular lights illuminate the concourse beneath the platform, improving passenger experience while supporting passive surveillance and CPTED principles.
The project reflects a high level of integration across architecture, engineering, urban design, landscape, lighting and Indigenous collaboration. Durable materials including ceramic tiles, concrete, aluminium and steel are selected for longevity, low maintenance and anti-graffiti performance, delivering long-term operational value.
Overall, Keon Park Station functions as a confident piece of civic infrastructure - safe, legible and expressive. This station is elevated from a humble ‘host station’ to a beautifully integrated architectural sculpture within an arcadian setting.
