By Matthew Sims
Western Metropolitan Senator Dr Catherine Cumming has called on the state government to consider reinstating the former Paisley train station.
She raised an adjournment matter to Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan on Tuesday, June 21 to reopen the station near the Millers Junction Village shopping centre in Altona North, after it closed in 1985.
“This matter has been raised numerous times and still remains the priority of the Hobsons Bay council and their residents in Altona North,” she said.
“The platform still exists, so it is still viable and visible.”
Dr Cumming said with the population of Altona North set to boom with the development of the former Don Smallgoods site, also known as Precinct 15, it was a perfect time to provide further transport infrastructure to the area.
“Altona North is pretty much a black hole for public transport,” she said.
“Residents currently rely on a bus network or a car to drive to Newport train station or even to North Williamstown station, their closest stations.
“Reopening the Paisley train station would ease traffic and parking congestion at Newport train station, because there is little car parking around North Williamstown.”
Dr Cumming said with an estimated population increase of 7000 new residents, the reinstatement of the station would ease the pressure on the Newport station.
“I urge the government to consider reopening the station at North Altona, and they should do it now,” she said.
