Southland railway station

Southland

An artist's impression of the station
Location Bay Road, Cheltenham
Coordinates 37°34′22″S 145°01′31″E / 37.5728°S 145.0254°E / -37.5728; 145.0254Coordinates: 37°34′22″S 145°01′31″E / 37.5728°S 145.0254°E / -37.5728; 145.0254
Owned by VicTrack
Operated by Metro
Line(s) Frankston
Distance 21.30 kilometres from Southern Cross
Platforms 2
Tracks 2
Construction
Disabled access Yes
Other information
Status Under construction
Fare zone Myki zone 2
Website www.ptv.vic.gov.au
History
Opened 2017 (scheduled)
Electrified Yes
Services
Preceding station   Metro Trains   Following station
Frankston line
toward Frankston

Southland railway station is planned railway station on the Frankston line currently under construction in the Melbourne suburb of Cheltenham. It is scheduled to open in the second half of 2017.

History

19th century

The first proposal for a railway station between Highett and Cheltenham stations on the Frankston railway line at Bay Road, occurred in the early 1880s, during the completion of the Frankston Line. Plans progressed throughout the 1880s, until they discontinued in 1892, by the City of Moorabbin, which at the time had other issues demanding attention.[1]

20th century

1960s

When Westfield Southland (then Southland Shopping Centre) opened in September 1968, discussions were raised on whether a railway station would be built on the Frankston line, adjacent to land then-occupied by the St John of God home for boys. Despite this, plans were not submitted.[2][3]

1990s

The proposal arose again in 1990, by this stage, almost 110 years after the initial idea was established. This was in conjunction with the redevelopment of Westfield Southland shopping centre, which was expanded across the Nepean Highway to land adjacent to the Frankston railway line. The Public Transport Corporation wrote a letter to the City of Moorabbin, responding to suggestions that Cheltenham station be relocated; stating that the project would be infeasible. The Public Transport Users Association predicted that the redevelopment of Westfield Southland would create traffic congestion, unless a new railway station was built. Although plans had been discussed, the proposal was once again moot.[1]

21st century

2000s

Westfield Southland shopping centre, which crosses over the Nepean Highway

During the Victorian Election campaign in November 2002, the Labor State Government announced their intentions of implementing a feasibility study into the possibility of a station at Southland. The Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce expressed disapproval with these plans, fearing that the station would "kill" the nearby businesses on Charman Road (adjacent the Cheltenham railway station).[4] Despite this, in 2004, the State Government commenced feasibility works.[5] In 2009, the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry listed a Southland railway station project as "urgent" and in need of a 2012–2014 completion, to support the population increase in Melbourne over the next 30 years, that would require established suburbs to have improved transport.[6]

2010s

Almost 130 years since the original proposal, planning for the Southland railway station resurfaced in November 2010, during the Victorian state election.[7] Both the government and opposition pledged to construct the railway station during the next term (2010–14).[8]

In the 2011 budget, $700,000 was allocated for planning; however, no time-frame had been set for the planning of the railway station project.[9] The Department of Transport hosted an online survey on the proposed station entitled "Southland Station Survey"; its benefits and where it will be situated.[10] The City of Kingston and the City of Bayside, alongside the Westfield Group, announced their intention to co-operate together. As a result of the State Government's consultations with both councils, the Government moved onto designing the station with input from the local community in November 2011.[11][12]

By 2012 the project appeared to be on-hold; however, a spokesperson for the State Government claimed that planning for the station was still underway, "which includes identifying the exact location of the station, station layout and access requirements, arrangements for connecting bus services and connections with local roads". According to The Age, the station would not be built during the Liberal government's first term (2010–14).[13]

Nevertheless, the City of Bayside established a project control group in support of the station and aimed at influencing the development. The City of Kingston, the Department of Planning and Community Development, the Department of Transport, VicRoads and Places Victoria also joined Bayside in establishing the group.[14]

Construction work on the station in September 2016, as viewed from the proposed rear entrance at 60 Tulip Grove

Public Transport Victoria's (PTV) 20-year Network Development Plan released in March 2013 to accommodate Melbourne's transport needs, stated a railway station at Southland would be built within the next five years.[15]

Funding for the station was allocated in the 2013/14 Victorian State Budget.[16] In April 2014 the government announced construction would commence in 2015, with the station to open in 2016.[17][18] By March 2015, plans for the project were renewed and released. Consultation with the community began in March and was completed by May 2015. Construction on the station commenced in August 2016, and it is scheduled for a late 2017 opening.[19] A key development in the Southland Principal Activity Centre, it's been predicted that the station will be used by 4,400 people daily.[18] PTV purchased and developed land on the street adjacent to the railway line, 60 Tulip Grove, which may operate as a future access-point to the station in the future.[20] The station will comprise:[21]

  • A pedestrian underpass
  • Two platforms
  • Seating and shelters
  • Toilet facilities
  • CCTV monitoring
  • Protective Services Officer (PSO) facilities

Naming

Despite being referred to in public discourse as Southland Station since the 1990s redevelopment of the adjacent shopping centre, concerns had been raised about associating a public asset with a privately owned enterprise.[22] Following discussions between stakeholders and the community, PTV confirmed in its February 2016 feedback summary report that the station would be named Southland.[23]

References

  1. 1 2 J Whitehead, Graham. "Railway Station at Bay Road". Kingston Historical Website. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  2. ↑ Gough, Deborah. (23 April 2014). "No public toilets for new $21m Southland train station". The Age. Retrieved 27 January 2016
  3. ↑ Marshall, Norman. "Methodist Children’s Homes at Cheltenham : A Time for Change". Kingston Historical Website. Retrieved 27 January 2016
  4. ↑ Rafferty, Michelle. (27 November 2002). "Rail link - bid for - Southland". Moorabbin/Glen Eira Leader. Retrieved 6 June 2015
  5. ↑ "Southland Train Station Feasibility Work Continues". 9 December 2004. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  6. ↑ Ballantyne, Adrian (23 November 2009). "Renewed calls for train station at Cheltenham's Southland". Mordialloc Chelsea Leader. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  7. ↑ Andrews, Jon (18 November 2010). "Both parties promise Southland train station". Moorabbin Leader. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  8. ↑ Lucas, Clay (19 November 2010). "Clash on Southland station cost". The Age. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  9. ↑ Bennett, Jessica (14 May 2011). "Southland station building can wait". Bayside Leader. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  10. ↑ Lucas, Clay (16 November 2011). "Highett survey prompts fears". Bayside Leader. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  11. ↑ Thom, Greg (22 November 2011). "Baillieu Government accuses Labor MP of lying". Herald Sun. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  12. ↑ "Council to explore future Southland Structure Plan". City of Kingston. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  13. ↑ Carey, Adam (29 July 2012). "Southland station election promise goes off the rails". The Age. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  14. ↑ Laura Banks and Bridget Fitzgerald L. Banks (27 August 2012). "Bayside council drives Southland train campaign". Melbourne Weekly Bayside. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  15. ↑ Andrews, Jon (28 March 2013). "Airport link 15 years off in $30b public transport plan". The Age. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  16. ↑ Adoranti, Kylie (7 May 2013). "Level crossing removal funded in infrastructure-heavy Victorian Budget". Herald Sun: Moonee Valley Leader. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  17. ↑ Early works to start on Frankston line's Southland station Premier of Victoria 23 April 2014
  18. 1 2 Savage, Alison (23 April 2014). "Deal reached to build new train station at Southland shopping centre". ABC News. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  19. ↑ Carmody, Broede. (15 August 2016). "Southland Station construction starts, some Frankston line disruption to follow". The Age. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  20. ↑ Chad, Van Estrop (1 August 2016). "Work to begin this month on new Southland railway station". Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  21. ↑ Sommerville, Troels (11 March 2015). "Southland train station plans released ahead of consultation sessions". Herald Sun. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  22. ↑ Carton, Donna (5 May 2015). "Proposed train station at Southland has no name". Moorabbin Kingston Leader. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  23. ↑ New station at Southland. Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 23 February 2016
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