WATSONIA, VIC. — Banyule City Council is calling on Victorian state election candidates to commit to upgrading Watsonia station to make it safer, more accessible and better connected to the surrounding precinct.
As part of its Banyule’s Ready advocacy campaign, Banyule Council is seeking Victorian Government investment to improve the station and enhance the surrounding precinct.
Built in 1979, Watsonia Station has seen little change since, and “no longer meets the needs of our growing community.”
The station sits deep in a land cutting, requiring people to navigate steep ramps to reach the platforms. For wheelchair users, people who use mobility aids, parents with prams and many older residents, accessing the station can be difficult and, in some cases, impossible.
Banyule Council’s highest priority is the installation of a lift to provide safe access to the station for people of all ages and abilities.
Improving accessibility would not only make public transport easier to use, it would also create opportunities for upgrades to the surrounding precinct that better connect residents, visitors and local businesses.
Councillor Mark Di Pasquale said the community is ready for change.
“It was built in 1979. I remember catching the train from this station when I went through school myself, and it hasn’t changed since then,” he said.
“The station doesn’t meet the needs of the community today and isn’t well integrated with the local area or nearby businesses.
“That is why we’re asking candidates in the lead-up to the Victorian state election to commit to funding an upgrade of Watsonia Station.”
Watsonia resident Ruth said the current station can be challenging to access.
“I use the station at least once a fortnight. I find it very difficult to use because of the ramp,” she said.
“It is so steep, and I have a fear that I’m going to fall and slip down.
“We need a lift. Other stations have got lifts. Why can’t Watsonia have one?”
In addition to making the station accessible, Banyule Council is advocating for changes to the future station precinct design to create a better outcome for Watsonia’s town centre.
Councillor Rick Garotti said there was an opportunity to better integrate the station with the surrounding shops and community spaces.
“We think there’s an opportunity for more activation around Watsonia Station,” he said.
“A rethink of the proposed car park could see it better integrated with our existing local shopping centre.”
Council is proposing an alternative approach that would retain the existing Frensham Reserve car park, reduce the scale of the proposed multi-storey car park and free up land for mixed-use development opportunities, including potential affordable housing and retail.
The final stages of North East Link construction present an ideal opportunity to deliver station and precinct upgrades while minimising future disruption to traders and the community.
By coordinating improvements with works already underway in the area, upgrades could be delivered without extending construction impacts beyond the North East Link Project’s completion in 2028.
