The state’s infrastructure advisory body has recommended a train station be built at Altona North, but the state government has given no indication as to whether it supports the proposal.
Infrastructure Victoria’s (IV) latest Victorian Infrastructure Strategy makes 45 recommendations to the state government across infrastructure sectors including transport, health, housing, energy, social infrastructure and the environment.
Among them is the construction of a station at Altona North.
Altona North has not had a train station since the closure of Paisley Station in the 1980’s.
Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Dr Jonathan Spear said The section of train line from Newport to Laverton via Altona North has the longest gap between stations on the metropolitan train network.
“Altona North is a major activity centre. A new station would allow nearby residents to reach three times more jobs within 45 minutes by public transport. It would also reduce travel times to the activity centre by around 10 per cent,” he said.
Dr Spear said more trains would need to run to serve the new station, providing extra weekend and evening services to passengers travelling from Footscray to Newport and Laverton to Werribee.
“Transport infrastructure investment can encourage more new homes,” he said.
“Rezoning land around a new Altona North station can have the same effect.”
Star Weekly asked the state government whether it supported IV’s recommendation for a station at Altona North, however the government did not respond.
IV’s strategy also recommended the creation of three rapid bus routes: West Tarneit to Highpoint, Point Cook to Watergardens and Melton to Broadmeadows.
“We recommend these routes progress by the early 2030s, based on how many people we expect to use the services and current and future congestion,” Dr Spear said.
IV said Bus rapid transit networks offer an alternative to travelling by car.
The strategy also included 16 recommended priority cycling corridors, including Highpoint to Footscray and Werribee to Footscray.
“Better connected bike infrastructure that is separated from traffic helps more people choose to ride, including young people, women and less confident riders. People using micromobility devices like electric scooters are also safer with separated bike infrastructure,” Dr Spear said.
