Southland shopping centre train station is nearly ready for Cheltenham commuters

YOU’VE waited seven years for it, now take a first look at the brand new $21 million Southland train station, which is almost ready to open.

MPs Nick Staikos and Tim Richardson have a look at the new Southland Station. Picture: John Lindsay

SEVEN years after Labor and the Coalition both pledged to build a train station at Southland, it’s almost ready for use.

Leader had a sneak peek at the construction site of the $21 million, long awaited, controversial stop.

Southland station edges closer to completion with weekend work

It’s been predicted that the station will be the busiest on the Frankston line.

Major construction is now complete and the station should be operational by the end of the year.

The station buildings, platforms, entry, station signage and forecourt — including pedestrian walkways and bicycle hoops — have all now been done.

PTV said signalling and work on the nearby Cheltenham substation, as well as “finishing touches” would all be done in the next few months.

The Coalition won the 2010 election but it wasn’t until 2013 that a little bit of detail of the plans for a basic, no-frills station emerged.

A pedestrian underpass will lead from the nearby Westfield to the station.

Major works for the installation of a the long awaited new station. Picture: Chris Eastman

It took until 2014 for full funding to be provided in the state budget, with expected opening in 2016.

In March 2015, the Labor government announced the long-awaited transport hub would be open a year later than previously planned.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the delay was due to a need for public consultation that the Coalition hadn’t carried out and she said the previous “half-baked station” had been dumped and toilets added.

Southland Station is almost ready for use.

Labor Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos, who visited the site with Labor Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson, said once signalling work was done the station would be ready for Christmas shoppers and “the thousands of Westfield staff.”

“It will be the busiest station on the Frankston line,” he said.

Features of the station include automated toilets and a PSO box. Picture: Supplied

Mr Richardson said people have talked about the need for a Southland Station for decades.

“I am so pleased that the Labor Government has got on and built the station, which will be ready before Christmas this year.”

Westfield Southland looks set to introduce paid parking before the station opens. The move is likely to be a bid to prevent commuters from using the centre carpark.

STATION FEATURES

Ramp and stair access

Pedestrian underpass (from Westfield)

Automated toilets

Platform seating and shelter

CCTV cameras

Information displays

Bicycle hoops

PSO box