The state government has played down the prospect of a new train station at Altona North, just days after Infrastructure Victoria (IV) recommended one.
An Altona North station was one of a number of proposals to improve public transport in Melbourne’s west made in IV’s draft 30-year infrastructure strategy released on Tuesday.
Altona North has not had a train station since the closure of Paisley Station in the 1980’s and as the draft strategy notes, the gap between the two nearest stations, Newport and Laverton, is the largest in Melbourne.
IV argues that with Altona North now a key activity centre, a new station would improve access to services and employment, encourage new homes and benefit passengers from Footscray through to Werribee.
However, a state government spokesperson refused to back the idea or even directly refer to it, choosing to list the government’s existing transport infrastructure projects in the western suburbs instead.
“We’re delivering for busy families across Melbourne’s west and building for our future,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re getting on with making the Werribee line level crossing free, to allow for capacity uplifts in the future. The opening of the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel in 2025 will make a big difference for our growing west.”.
The state government’s response is at odds with that of Hobsons Bay council which has long advocated for a new station and welcomed IV’s recommendation.
“Gridlock of traffic heading to the West Gate Freeway on Millers Road and Melbourne Road is an everyday occurrence,” said Hobsons Bay mayor Daria Kellander of why an Altona North station was needed.
She urged the state government to act on IV’s advice.
“It’s important the state government prioritises actual delivery of this recommendation to provide more rail services and train stations that meet the growing needs of our community.”
Altona North resident Rowena Joske agreed, saying a new station built at an estimated cost of between $150 million and $250 million was actually cheap.
“It’s a pretty low cost for a lot of value,” said Ms Joske who is also secretary of local community group Better West.
She said with the government wanting more to build more homes and IV also recommending zoning changes to allow for more housing in the area, they had no excuse to say no.
“It’s a bit of a no brainer.”
