Carlton Inc. breakfast focuses on Parkville Station and local revival

Carlton Inc.’s quarterly networking breakfast on September 9 brought together more than 40 local business and community leaders at Brunetti Classico on Lygon St for a morning of connection, updates and shared vision.

Hosted by Carlton Inc. president Sergio Alderuccio and executive officer Phillip Mansour, the event featured a keynote presentation from Metro Tunnel representatives Barry McGuren and Ebony Manusama, who shared the story behind the city-shaping project and the imminent opening of Parkville Station.

Described as the biggest overhaul of Melbourne’s transport network in 40 years, the Metro Tunnel will link the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines while also freeing up capacity in the City Loop.

Mr McGuren explained that the project was born from the 2008 Eddington Report, which identified Melbourne’s rapid population growth – at that time 1000 new residents per week – as a critical challenge for the existing transport system.

Attendees were taken through slides showcasing the five new stations, each designed with input from local artists to reflect the character of its surrounding neighbourhood. The presentation also revealed some of the unexpected discoveries made during the decade-long build, including archaeological finds such as early city structures and even 100 perfectly preserved teeth, now on display at the State Library.

Safety and accessibility were highlighted as central features of the new stations, with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles guiding the layouts.

Bright, open spaces, comprehensive CCTV, and intuitive wayfinding have all been incorporated to create safe and welcoming environments, supported by around 1000 staff across the network.

Following the presentation and Q&A, conversation turned local, with Joe from Johnny, Vince and Sam’s sparking discussion on reviving the much-loved Lygon Street Festa.

The idea was met with enthusiasm from members, who agreed that bringing the festival back would require a collective effort across the business and wider community.

With the Metro Tunnel promising to transform how people move across Melbourne, and the potential return of iconic events on the horizon, the breakfast served as a reminder of Carlton’s strong community spirit and its determination to shape a vibrant future.