Media Release: SOUTHLAND TRAIN STATION FEASIBILITY WORK CONTINUES

FROM THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT

DATE: Thursday, December 9, 2004

SOUTHLAND TRAIN STATION FEASIBILITY WORK CONTINUES

Transport Minister, Peter Batchelor, today said he was pleased with ongoing evaluation into the feasibility of constructing a train station at Southland Shopping Centre.

Mr Batchelor said a pre-feasibility study undertaken by consultants Booz Allen Hamilton concluded that there was a case to proceed to a further, more detailed investigation of a new station.

“The study found that feasibility of a future station will depend upon land use in the surrounding area and how this is integrated with the public transport network,” Mr Batchelor said.

“We will now engage with landowners, the Bayside City Council and the City of Kingston in a full feasibility study to recommend the best possible transport options for local shoppers.”

The pre-feasibility study estimated that a station could increase public transport patronage to Southland by up to 36%, with about 1400 passengers per weekday expected to pass through the station.

Mr Batchelor said a full feasibility study would need to consider the best location for a new station as well as integration with existing bus services.

“Preliminary estimates put the cost of a station at between $10 and $14 million. The full feasibility study will therefore consider whether an upgrade to bus services is a more cost effective way to meet current and future travel needs in the short to medium term,” he said.

The Member for Mordialloc, Janice Munt said more than 16 million trips to Southland were taken each year. The vast majority were car trips, resulting in significant congestion on local roads.

“The Cheltenham - Southland Shopping Centre is very close to the Frankston train line and the Bracks Government is serious about encouraging more shoppers to make the trip by public transport,” Ms Munt said.

The Member for Bentleigh, Rob Hudson said a study into the feasibility of a train station at Southland Shopping Centre was a key 2002 election commitment, and the Bracks Government was delivering on that commitment.

The Government’s strategic framework for managing land use, Melbourne 2030: Planning for Sustainable Growth, identified the Cheltenham - Southland Shopping Centre as a Principal Activity Centre, and an important focus for the surrounding community.

Melbourne 2030 also promotes providing public transport options to and from activity centres such as this vital shopping centre.