Southern+Cross+Station

To make this article more convient and easy to read I will seperate it into three sections to help destinguish between the different time peroids of the stations developement.
 * [[image:Southern_Crosse.JPG width="421" height="312" align="left" caption="Southern Cross Station, 2008"]]SOUTHERN CROSS STATION**

Southern Cross Station has had many names over its 150 year history. Today it has become the main station in Melbourne and a focus for the growing docklands district. Thanks to the recent 2002-2006 redevelopment project it has become a world class station which blends comfortably into the surrounding skyrise buildings. Designed by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw and Daryl Jackson, its vast wave-like roof has made an impact all over the architectural world. Unavoidably, as with most major government projects Southern Cross was overbudget and a year late.
 * Southern Cross Station**

After it's recent redevelopment it was renamed, previously being called Spencer Street Station. The old station was built in the early 1960s and was in dire need of replacment. The construction of the '60s station began in October 1960 and was fully completed by December 1963. The older station was open to elements and lacked any from of seating or comfortable waiting areas.
 * Spencer Street Station**

Before it was a railway station, Southern Cross, was a cricket ground and racecourse. The local council intended to make the area into a park for the use of the public, but it became a railway station by the name of Batman Hill. The first passanger train left Batman Hill bound for Sunbury and Williamstown on the 13 Janury 1859. Batman Hill was essentially a collection of ramshackle buildings and over the 100 years or so various attempts redevelope the station were made but the money couldn't be found and each fell through. Several minor upgrades were made during this time but they made little difference to the overall station.
 * Batman Hill Station**

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