BEVERIDGE, VIC. — Mitchell Shire Council has welcomed a Victorian Greens commitment of $15 million to plan and design a train station at Beveridge, the first commitment from any party to the project ahead of the November 28 state election.
Payal Tiwari, Greens candidate for Kalkallo, announced the commitment last Wednesday, October 14, which matches the immediate first step Mitchell Shire called for – planning and design for a station on the existing Melbourne to Seymour line.
“This is about giving Beveridge families a real choice in how they get around. Beveridge is set to grow to 112,187 people by 2046, and right now there’s only a limited bus service. Whether it’s getting to work, school, the shops or a medical appointment, for most people it’s [a] walk or drive, and that just isn’t good enough.
“Labor has treated this area as a safe seat for too long. Residents deserve better.
“I’m an engineer, not a career politician. My own son had to travel an hour to get to school, so I know what poor transport does to a family’s day. That’s why I’m stepping up.”
“I raised the station with Greens MP Anasina Gray-Barberio, who took it to the Minister in Parliament. Now the Greens have put real money on the table. I’ll keep advocating until Beveridge gets its station.”
The station would be situated on the current Seymour train line, meaning no tracks would physically have to move to detour for a new station.
The Mitchell Shire Council is wrapped with the commitment and is now looking to put the pressure on the other state political parties and candidates for a response or further commitment.
“Beveridge Station is finally on the table this election, and we thank the Greens for putting it there,” Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said.
“Beveridge residents deserve to know where every party and candidate stands on their station before 28 November,” he added.
“Every weekday, trains run straight past Beveridge. The tracks are there, the trains are there, the people are there. What’s missing is a station.
“This isn’t a new idea or a wish list. The state’s own agencies have already planned for a station at Beveridge. What’s left is a decision to fund it.
“Our community has made its voice heard. Now it’s time for the parties to answer.”
Over 1700 people have signed a council petition for the station, which is equivalent to 15 per cent of the town’s population that is set to grow by 100,000 people within 20 years.
