MENTONE’S historic train station is under threat as part of the state government’s plans to remove the Balcombe Rd level crossing on the Frankston line.
A new train station will be built and the heritage-listed station, constructed in 1913, may be used as “an entrance” to the new station or a history centre or cafe, according to Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) documents.
Two options for Mentone – rail over road or rail under road – were released by the LXRA last week for public consultation closing at the end of October.
The government will then announce which of the two options will proceed with construction due to begin in early 2018.
“I appreciate that there’s a lot of care and value in the Mentone community for both their station and the surrounding gardens,” Labor Transport Minister Jacinta Allan told The News.
“Both options – whether it’s a rail over or a rail under option – do have some impact on the station, platforms and building.”
Friends of the Mentone Station and Gardens chair Dorothy Booth said she is “very uneasy” about the proposed level crossing removal plans but hopes the existing historic train station building, heritage listed in 2006, is not closed to the public in future.
“A history centre would be good but I think it would have to be a rail history centre if we could get rail enthusiasts involved,” she said.
Ms Booth is worried the building’s historic nature will be overlooked in the rush to separate road from rail at Balcombe Rd.
“How can the Level Crossing Removal Authority in effect sweep aside a state heritage-listed site to achieve their aim?”
Ms Booth said it is vital that the existing station building is open to the public so it is not derelict and is maintained for future generations.
Ms Allan said the LXRA “is working really hard at how it can minimise the impact on the station”.
“I have no doubt this is something that people will want to talk about through this next phase of consultation.”
Community information sessions to hear more about the Balcombe Rd project will be held at Kilbreda College on 4 October and 7 October.
The level crossing removal is part of a state government plan to remove 11 crossings along the Frankston line to ease traffic congestion and improve train services.
Three crossings at Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh have been removed and eight more, including the Mentone crossing, along the Frankston line will also be removed.
Visit your.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au to see plans and lodge feedback online or call the LXRA on 1800 762 667.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 14 September 2016
