Minister for Major Projects David Hodgett instead said the public feedback would be used to refine the design belonging to the final winner. First place has already been decided by a jury of “prominent people” including Masterchef presenter George Calombaris, but the winner will remain a tightly kept secret until August 8. The government will have two years to decide if they will implement the endorsed design or, perhaps, whether the winning architect budgeted beyond what they are willing to spend. “A lot of architect's designs are wonderful things but they still have to be built and be feasible,” Mr Hodgett said. Many of the designs submitted in the competition have similar features, with new hotels, open space, river walks and parks featuring prominently in the plans.

All have made use of the station's lonely and neglected offices and buildings. Despite the throngs of people that push past each other during peak periods, almost 60 per cent of space is the station is underutilized. By 2021 the weekly patronage of the historic building is forecast to double to about 400,000, however all of the new visions for the station try to find ways to attract even more people to the Melbourne's main railway station. From 7am Tuesday Victorians will be able to rate each design out of five stars in four different categories, including transport function and design merit. To vote on the shortlist visit www.voteflindersst.com.au.

WHAT THE DESIGNERS SAY: Ashton Raggatt McDougall (Melbourne): The firm behind the National Museum of Australia, this design aims to reinvigorate the station with a number of new drawcards. A secondary school in the old administration building is one of the highlights. They will also build a new river walk and a rooftop garden big enough to provide habitat for native flora and fauna. John Wardle Architects + Grimshaw (Australia and UK): This design is the work of two leading architects including the firm behind Southern Cross Station. Under their plan they will reorientate the main concourse to sit alongside and within the historic administration building, bringing it back into public use. New additions include a design museum and expanded riverbank with double height brick vaults.

NH Architecture (Melbourne): The firm behind the Melbourne Convention Centre have tried to capture the station's “Melbourness” in its design. They have proposed a new entertainment landmark at the centre of the precinct named the “Melbourne Room' – an appropriate home perhaps for the Brownlow Medal ceremony or Circus Oz performance. A glass lattice roof will float about the station while new access points, including a pedestrian bridge across the river from southbank, have been introduced. Commuters will be able to able to access the station from a number of new points, including a pedestrian bridge from southbank. Zaha Hadid Architecture & BVN Architecture (UK and Melbourne): This joint design from London and Melbourne is among the most radical transformations for the station. The plan includes significant commercial and retail space, including a boutique hotel with its lobby in the restored Banana Alley Vaults. A Piazza crosses the site, linking the city to Southbank. HASSELL + Herzog & de Meuron (Melbourne and Switzerland):

Two global firms have come together with a plan that will see weather-proofed vaulted rooves flood the platforms with dappled natural light and ventilation. Major new attractions include an art gallery, plaza, amphitheatre and marketplace. The Flinders Street building and corner entrance are retained and the paintwork returned to their original colours. A bike path with run under the station through the old western concourse. Loading Eduardo Velasquez + Manuel Pineda + Santiago Medina (Colombia via University of Melbourne): The brain-child of three Columbian students at the University of Melbourne, this design transforms the rooftop of the station into an urban park and plaza. A new western concourse will be built along with two underpasses that link Flinders Street with the Yarra. On the northbank of the river, visitors will find an urban beach and ferry terminal.