Wendouree railway station

The original Wendouree station opened on 9 December 1901 as Ballarat Gardens, and was renamed Wendouree on 1 August 1905.[2] It was located just west of the Forest Street level crossing, 750 metres east of the present station, and was closed circa 1990.[2]

At Gillies Street, near the site of the current station, stood a 19th-century signal box, which controlled the Ballarat Cattle Yards junction. After falling into disrepair, the Public Transport Corporation was approached by Kim Lynden, who later successfully tendered to move the building to Blampied, becoming a bed and breakfast in 1998.[3]

Boom barriers replaced interlocked gates at the Gillies Street level crossing, located in the Up direction of the present station, in 1992.[4]

In September 2006, the State Government announced a new station would be built to relieve congestion at Ballarat station, following a passenger boom after the completion of the Regional Fast Rail project.[5]

The station was due for completion in 2008.[6] The name was the subject of a competition, which closed in April 2007.[7] Construction work started in May 2008.[8][9]

The cost of the station and associated works was initially projected to be $11 million, but eventually cost $18.7 million.[10]

The station was opened by the former Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky, on 11 June 2009, with services commencing on 14 June 2009.[11]

In 2019, as part of the Regional Rail Revival project, a second platform was built opposite Platform 1, with a footbridge, lifts, ramps and stairs connecting the platforms, as well as an upgrade to the station forecourt.[12] A refuge siding was also constructed, to allow trains to arrive into Platform 2.[1][12]