Public furious as politicians ignore Frankston transport hub upgrade
FRANKSTON’S transport hub is still waiting for an overhaul — 39 years after the first detailed promise.
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FRANKSTON’S transport hub is still waiting for an overhaul — 39 years after the first detailed promise.
And swift action looks unlikely — whoever wins government at this month’s state election.
Frankston Community Coalition’s Christine Richards said the group had met all local candidates and written to them detailing what needed to be done.
“They are all … aware of the issues surrounding the station but all refer the problem back to their party,” Ms Richards said.
“The silence on this has been deafening.”
An article published in the Frankston Standard on September 3, 1975, detailed a plan by then transport minister Ray Meagher to create a multimillion-dollar transport centre for Frankston and Box Hill.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Read the article published in 1975 here.
The plan included an elevated station with bus and taxi interchange below, multi-level carpark and converting part of Young St into a pedestrian mall.
“It's basically everything that we are still asking for now,” Ms Richards said.
“But not only has the Box Hill hub been created, it has also been rejuvenated since then — we are still waiting.”
Transport Minister Matthew Guy was vague when asked by the Leader about future plans for the station.
“There’s some money I know going into it,” Mr Guy said. “But there’s debate around whether there should be carparking, or an urban renewal project.”
Labor candidate Paul Edbrook was scathing of the Coalition’s record on redeveloping the station.
“The redevelopment of the Frankston station precinct has been comprehensively botched by this government,” he said.
However, he did not offer a solution for the precinct other than to say his party was working on a plan and a pledge to investigate where promised funds had been spent.
“The failure of the government on this project is breathtaking and the waste of money scandalous,” Mr Edbrook said.
“The first thing I will do is find out where this money is so we can act.”
In May, the Government unveiled a $13.8 million concept plan for its Frankston Station Precinct Improvement Project and called for public submissions.
It provided little detail and did not include the redevelopment promised by former Liberal leader Ted Bailleau just weeks before the 2010 state election.
INACTION PARTY
Commuters and residents are invited to a free party to mark the 39 years of inaction on Frankston’s transport precinct.
The event will be hosted by the Frankston Community Coalition in Wells St on Thursday, November 6, from 8.30am.
It will coincide with Frankston Farmers’ Market and a live broadcast by Jon Faine and 774 ABC.
PROMISES SO FAR:
Liberals
■ $3.5 million for Carrum
■ Downs fire station $1.1 million upgrade of
■ Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve
■ Removal of the P-turn at Cranbourne Rd
■ $5 million for Carrum Downs Secondary College
■ $3 million for Seaford Park Primary
■ $1 million for Seaford North Primary
■ $1 million for Seaford Primary
■ $1 million for Kananook Primary
Labor
■ $4 million upgrade of Monterey Secondary College
■ $175 million duplication of Thompsons Rd
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