PLANS for the long-awaited new train station at Southland shopping centre are taking shape with councils keen to have their say.
Kingston and Bayside councils have made public submissions to Public Transport Victoria voicing their concerns about aspects of the $21 million project.
Kingston Council welcomed the state government’s investment in the new train station but is concerned pedestrian access to the station platform will solely be through Westfield’s private car park at Southland shopping centre.
Council has proposed the station should be moved slightly further north to give access to both ends of the station platform.
“We believe this will fundamentally improve access and safety as pedestrians could have better access to Bay Road at the northern end of the platform, or walk safely to Southland through the Jean Street Reserve from the southern end of the platform,” Kingston mayor Cr Geoff Gledhill said.
“Under the current plans pedestrians would have to walk through the Southland car park which would create safety issues. Providing appropriate links to buses is also an essential factor.”
The potential loss of about 30 car park spaces at Cheltenham station is also a concern for council.
Cr Gledhill said Cheltenham “is the major park-and-ride station in the region”.
“We believe addressing the parking issues at Cheltenham as a priority, in tandem with the Southland project, will ensure adequate parking is provided at Cheltenham for commuters while Southland is used as a destination station.”
Kingston Council is also pushing for the new train station to be officially named Southland Station to give it “a sense of place”.
A state government spokesman told The News the name of the train station is being discussed and has not yet been finalised.
Mordialloc Labor MP Tim Richardson said consultation on the new train station at Southland is still open.
“We welcome input and views from the community including local councils.”
Once complete the new station at Southland will become the fourth busiest station on the Frankston line, with 4000 passengers per day expected to use the station.
The former Coalition government failed to build a new train station at Southland in its sole term in power despite having committed $13 million to the project before the 2010 state election.
The Labor government hopes the new station will be open by 2017.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 6 May 2015
