South Yarra railway station: Stonnington Council urged to reconsider tram stop upgrades
It’s about to get a revamped $12 million entrance, but a local MP and disability advocates don’t think upgrades to this busy South Yarra railway station go far enough. And they fear it’s not safe for people in wheelchairs.
Inner East
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Disability advocates want an inner city council to get on board for a safer, more accessible tram stop at a railway station after it blocked plans earlier this year.
Work to revamp South Yarra railway station will begin this month, with the State Government to spend $12 million on a wider entrance and a new facade along Toorak Rd.
But future planned works, including an accessible tram stop opposite the entrance, are yet to get ticked off.
Stonnington councillors ignored an officer recommendation to support the tram stop upgrade at its June 15 meeting, as they felt the proposed shelters were “unsympathetic to the heritage character of the train station”.
They voted 5-4 to put off discussions for 12 months, with councillors Matthew Kose, Jami Klisaris, Melina Sehr, John Chandler and Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos opposed.
The councillors also felt the works were premature and local businesses needed time and minimal disruptions to recover from the coronavirus outbreak.
But Prahran state Greens MP Sam Hibbins said now could have been the perfect time to do the works while there was less traffic.
“With all these projects there will be disruption … during normal times outside of covid, its chaos there in front of the station,” he said.
“You’ve got thousands of passengers crossing Toorak Rd, and its dangerous and inaccessible to people in a wheelchair or people pushing a pram.
“It (the tram stop) is a fundamental part of the upgrade needed to the station … I’d be urging them (the council) to reverse that decision and work with State Government to get it built as soon as possible.”
Windsor’s Sarah Barton, a disability advocate and candidate for this month’s council elections, said it was a “no-brainer” to upgrade the tram stop.
She said accessing transport services outside the station had been difficult for daughter Stella, 21, who has cerebral palsy and has spent her life in a wheelchair.
“It’s not just wheelchair users, there are older people in the area and other members of the community that would appreciate a more seamless journey that is more accessible,” she said.
Stonnington chief executive Jacqui Weatherill said the council was “committed to accessible and inclusive public transport infrastructure” and working with the State Government on such projects.
But she said further consultation was required about the potential loss of parking spaces, access to businesses and homes and the tram stop’s visual impact.
Ms Weatherill said the council was in caretaker mode and couldn’t comment on what its future position could be.
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