The Victorian government will spend $24 million upgrading 16 train stations around the state.
The program of works is funded through the $2.7 billion Building Works package, of which $328.4m is being spent on transport projects.
The upgrades to train stations will include new passenger information screens, public address equipment, and disability shelters. Money will also go towards extra car parks, toilets, and bicycle parking.
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said that the projects would support jobs in a number of communities.
“We’re hitting the ground running with these projects – creating hundreds of new jobs in the coming months to support local communities across Victoria that need it most.”
The station upgrades follow regional track improvements which were announced in July, as well as maintenance works.
Stations to be upgraded include Heathmont, Frankston, Melton, and Moonee Ponds in the Melbourne metropolitan network, and Broadford, North Shore, and Lara on the regional network.
It is hoped that the distributed nature of the numerous small-scale projects can provide a boost to local economies that have struggled during coronavirus (COVID-19) related shutdowns.
In total, the works are expected to create and support over 600 jobs, according to Carroll.
“Every dollar spent as part of this extra investment will support jobs and families, and improve our public transport network for everyone who relies on it.”
Works are expected to start in October with tenders to be released in the coming months.
A full list of upgrades are below:
| Aircraft Station | Accessibility upgrades: Installation of handrails, upgrade existing DDA carparks, installation of two Raised Boarding Pads (RBPs) including rubber fingers at train door 1. Upgrades to the pedestrian crossing via new rubber track inserts. Platform canopy and seating upgrades. |
| Anstey Station | Accessibility upgrades: Installation of handrails, upgrade existing DDA carparks, installation of two RBPs including rubber fingers at train door 1. Installation of new DDA shelters. Upgrades to the pedestrian crossing via new rubber track inserts. Platform canopy and seating upgrades. |
| Heathmont Station | Accessibility upgrades: upgrade existing DDA car parks. Platform, canopy and seating, fencing, Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI) installation, lighting. |
| Huntingdale Station | Passenger information displays (PIDs). |
| Moonee Ponds Station | Accessibility upgrades: installation of handrails, upgrading DDA car parks, installation of two RPBs including rubber fingers at train door 1. Upgrades to the pedestrian crossing via new rubber track-inserts. Toilet refurbishment. |
| Royal Park Station | Platform, canopy and seating upgrades, bicycle parking. |
| Jordanville Station | Accessibility upgrades: Upgrade fourexisting DDA car parks. Platform, canopy and seating upgrades, installation of TGSI. Bicycle parking. |
| Footscray Station | Platform PA system. |
| South Kensington Station | Platform, canopy and seating upgrades, TGSI installation. |
| Frankston Station | Public toilet and landscaping at station entrance. |
| North Geelong Station | Platform PA system, toilet refurbishment, platform canopy and seating, accessibility upgrades. |
| North Shore | Safety upgrades (e.g. lighting, CCTV). |
| Kilmore East Station | Platform PA system, toilet refurbishment, platform canopy, and seating upgrades. |
| Broadford Station | Toilet refurbishment, platform canopy, and seating upgrades. |
| Lara Station | Platform PA, platform canopy, and seating. |
| Melton Station | General station upgrades, accessibility upgrades, DDA upgrades, fencing, install PIDs. |