The new Cheltenham and Mentone stations have received a five-star Green Star sustainable design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

The buildings have roof top solar panels to self-source energy, and water saving and rainwater collection facilities, as well as other design factors that will lead to a significant reduction in potential greenhouse gas emissions.

Using best-practice GBCA and Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) rating tools, all new stations built by the Level Crossing Removal Project are subject to independent reviews and scored in categories such as energy, waste and innovation.

The environmentally friendly stations also feature brand new facilities such as electronic passenger information displays, a customer service office, accessible toilets, Protective Service Officers’ (PSO) pod and a climate-controlled waiting area and sheltered seating on the platforms.

The new stations offer improved accessibility, with ramps, lifts and stairs at Mentone Station and lifts and stairs at Cheltenham Station, for easy access between the station concourse and platforms.

Finishing touches to the station precincts, landscaping, completing car parking, and work on the 3.5 kilometre walking and cycling path between Cheltenham and Mentone will continue until late 2020.

Mentone station gardens and the heritage deck will open to the community in early 2021.