Victorian Government refusing to release findings of Box Hill public transport interchange report

THE State Government is refusing to release a long-awaited report into upgrading one of Melbourne’s biggest public transport messes.

Box Hill MP Robert Clark is calling for the State Government to release its report into how the Box Hill bus interchange can be improved. Picture: Steve Tanner

THE State Government is refusing to release a long-awaited report into upgrading one of Melbourne’s biggest public transport messes.

Box Hill state Liberal MP Robert Clark urged Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan to release the report into the Box Hill interchange which was compiled by a ministerial advisory group chaired by State Labor Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Shaun Leane.

The Government also refused to discuss the report with the Whitehorse Leader.

The advisory group first met in 2015 and was asked to produce a clear direction for the future of the interchange which causes daily headaches for commuters.
Eastern Transport Coalition chairman Peter Lockwood, said the group was “eagerly awaiting” the report.
“The interchange is an important project for us. It needs better connections for the thousands of people who use the bus, tram and trains each day,” he said.
The government report was required to be completed and handed to Ms Allan in October last year, however it is believed the report was only received earlier this year, but neither it nor its recommendations have been made public.

“This report is about more than just improving public transport in Box Hill — the interchange and Box Hill Central act as a community hub, a community centre, and as such the report contains vital information the community is entitled to weigh in on,” Mr Clark said.

“The State Government is happy to push increased density on Box Hill, and more pressure on public transport, roads and schools, but there has been nothing to improve the infrastructure in the area ... and not a cent in the State Budget to improve the interchange.”

The Box Hill interchange opened in 1987, but has been plagued with complaints that it outdated, has poor disability access and is hard to use when changing from buses to trains or trams.

The council’s website notes that “fixing the transport interchange is the last big step in the renewal of Box Hill”.

More than 20,000 commuters use the interchange every day.

When contacted by the Whitehorse Leader, Ms Allan declined to answer when the report would be made available or explain its key recommendations.

Ms Allan’s spokeswoman Sacha Fenton said the Government is considering the recommendations of the report and is continuing to look at future options to improve public transport in Box Hill.