Adelaide Metro Community Volunteer Program - Eden Hills ... · With Adelaide Metro taking care of infrastructure and supplying all materials including plants, paint and irrigation

Adelaide Metro

Community Volunteer Program -Eden Hills Railway Station

Community Volunteer Program - Eden Hills Railway Station | Version 1.0 | June 2012

BackgroundIn 1991, Adelaide Metro created a national first when it began its ‘Adopt-a-Station’ program - now known as the Community Volunteer Program. The Community Volunteer Program now consists of more than 150 active volunteers taking care of over 50 stations.

Evidence shows that if a train station or tram stop is kept clean and looking attractive, unwanted graffiti and vandalism are reduced - not only at the station or stop but on nearby homes, fences and buildings as well.

Adelaide has stations located everywhere from the Adelaide Hills to the inner metropolitan areas. Different environments use different community approaches to improve the aesthetics of their local railway station. Volunteer groups have taken individual approaches for each station depending on the local geography, climate and available space.

The peopleA strong sense of community spirit means many of the Community Volunteer groups have their roots in similar organisations such as Neighbourhood Watch or Community Action groups. For many participants, becoming involved in work at their local station is the starting point for expanding their participation in local activities.

Eden Hills Coordinator, Ken Naughton, first heard about the ‘Adopt a Station’ program in the mid 1990’s and was keen to get involved from the very beginning. Ken was soon joined by long-time locals Betty, Bob and Bill. Bob, in particular, brought his very valuable life experience of having been a farmer. The group agrees that his innovation with irrigation has been a huge asset saving them from carrying buckets of water to the far ends of the 500 metre long station corridor.

The locationEden Hills railway station is on the Belair line located in the Adelaide southern foothills suburb of Eden Hills. It is around 14 kilometres by railway from the Adelaide Railway Station. Eden Hills is the only station on the current Adelaide Metro network to have a tunnel on either side, with the original line through Eden Hills opened in 1883 as part of the Adelaide-Nairne railway.

The railway station once had a ticket office and shelter on the former ‘down’ (eastern) platform and a shelter on the ‘up’ (western) platform. The ‘down’ platform shelter and ticket office were demolished circa 1983 as was the shelter on the ‘up’ platform. A newer shelter was built in 2009 as part of the Belair line renewal.

The Community Volunteer Program played a vital role in landscaping, both before and after the renewal project. Landscaping and thoughtful vegetation choices by the group have significantly improved the station and surrounds which now include access ramps, seating, fencing, lighting, signs and safety markings.

The outcomesIn the early days, the station was choked with weeds like Salvation Jane and Scotch Thistle, so work focussed on ‘taming the wilderness.’

With Adelaide Metro taking care of infrastructure and supplying all materials including plants, paint and irrigation equipment, volunteers were able to design the gardens with a focus on native plantings. The group’s friendly approach and strong sense of ownership resulted in each member taking responsibility for a different ‘patch’ of the station.

The landscape at Eden Hills features everything from steep inclines, gentle slopes, significant trees and integrated walking paths regularly used by locals. Ken, Betty, Bob and Bill have transformed the station with retaining walls, splashes of colour and a popular ‘contemplation bench’.

Although the gardens are relatively well established, members of the group agree there’s always something to do. Ongoing maintenance includes weeding, mulching, sweeping, irrigation, graffiti and rubbish removal.

VolunteerbenefitsWhile the work itself is rewarding on many levels, for many volunteers it is the social interaction that provides the greatest reward. Group members have the chance to communicate with each other and community members regularly using station facilities who greatly appreciate that the volunteers make their station ‘a nice place to be’.

Members often receive compliments from appreciative community members and the sense of community pride is very clear.

The Community Volunteer group for Eden Hill Station can be found at work every Monday between 9 and 12, with freshly baked cakes an important feature of a regular morning tea.

How do I find out more?call: Adelaide Metro InfoLine on 1300 311 108 visit: adelaidemetro.com.au

“It’s great to be apart of a social group that’s recognised by

community”“I love the sense of community

spirit, and the chance to connect. It’s great to know I’ve brightened someone’s day.”“It’s a great way to stay

active and have a chat withother locals.”

CommunitybenefitsOnce a station is being cared for, the benefits multiply. Not only is graffiti and vandalism reduced at the station, but also at surrounding homes and businesses.

An unexpected outcome is an increase in the number of community members using the station surrounds as part of their daily activities either dog walking, or excursions with family members. This increase in foot traffic has a security outcome as increased foot traffic means an increase in passive surveillance – more people keeping an eye on the place more often.

Eden Hills Station volunteer quotes: