NEW PRESTON AND BELL STATIONS ARE OPEN!

Words & Photo by Susanne Newton, Darebin Deputy Mayor

On Sunday 26 February 2023, hundreds of people attended the official opening of the Preston and Bell stations. The long lines for the free food and activities are testament to the interest and success of this long-awaited project. My favourite feature of the day was the mini ‘trains’ that shepherded kids around.

When I was first elected to Darebin Council in 2016, and the new Reservoir station and level crossing removal had been announced, so many people told me they didn’t think it would ever happen; that nothing much changes in Reservoir. But by 2019 we had our shiny new station, and getting from one side of the tracks to the other became so much easier than it was before.

Back then, the state government had already announced they would remove the level crossing at Bell Street. One of the first things I remember being really nervous about as a new Councillor was the idea that we had to ask the state government to remove three more level crossings at Cramer Street, Oakover Road and Murray Road. We were so nervous about it because for our case to work - the idea of ‘4 level crossings for the price of 1’ - that would mean us advocating for an elevated level crossing removal… A ‘skyrail’! Would we get backlash? Would people hate us? It was pretty scary to go out there with this!

But it worked! We got our extra three level crossings in Darebin and I absolutely love how it turned out. The ‘liquorice allsorts’ façade at Preston is so colourful, and there’s new walking and bike lanes that connect through to St Georges Road. I love riding my e-bike along there, and I already see lots of kids from Preston High cycling along it and many people exercising.

There’s wonderful playgrounds too, a nature-based one for the littlies and a more adventurous one for older kids.

Once the new trees grow more, it will be even better, as the paths feel a bit out in the open still.

Overall though, the whole thing really lifts and opens up the area, making it a pleasure to visit.

With more people moving into Preston and Reservoir, too, the importance of having open spaces like this can’t be underestimated. It’s so much better than what was there before, so make sure you check it all out next time you visit Preston Market!