Tara Murray
Brimbank council has called for plans for a Calder Park railway station to be brought to life.
Mayor Ranka Rasic raised a notice of motion at a recent council meeting, calling for the council to write to the state government to advocate for the construction of a new station at Calder Park, including the provision of parking facilities.
She said the station would provide much needed additional public transport options for outer western and northern metropolitan communities, and alleviate excessive commuter and parking demand at Watergardens station.
“Calder Park station is very important,” she said.
“For many years the land located at Calder Park has sat empty and overgrown and it has been the cause of major fires that have affected local residents and their homes.
“I believe this land could actually be used as a train station and I’m therefore calling for the state government to construct a railway station at this site.”
Cr Rasic Watergardens station was nine kilometres from its nearest station at Diggers Rest.
She said population growth in the area between the two stations, meant a new station was needed.
“We need a station at Calder Park to service the local community and address the rapid population growth along the Melton Highway and beyond.
“A Calder Park station will also address computer parking… and reduce traffic on the roads.”
Cr Bruce Lancashire said having a station at Calder Park was a no brainer.
He said with plans to duplicate the Melton Highway in the future, more cars would use the roads in the surrounding suburbs.
“A rail station has been designated for that area on Melways maps for over 30 years,” he said.
“Something that has been proposed for a long time as we talked about… There is a massive amount of growth. We need to have improved access, improved public transport.”
“This is one of those few opportunities to link freeway systems to train stations.”
