Whiff of desperation over Broadmeadows train station invite

THE state and federal tourism ministers will get a whiff of the “heady aromas” at Broadmeadows train station if they accept a cheeky invitation. But will they take the bait?

Broadmeadows train station. Picture: George Salpigtidis

• Commuter frustration over Broadmeadows station rubbish, parking
• Rat-infested Broadmeadows station ‘a disgrace’
• Broadmeadows station in line for upgrades
• Broadmeadows station is Hume’s worst for crime

THE state and federal tourism ministers will get a whiff of the “heady aromas” and “serious problems” at Broadmeadows train station if they take up a cheeky offer from Hume Council.

The move is the brainchild of Meadow Valley Ward councillor Jana Taylor, who said the station was often the first stop for tourists to Victoria who caught the 901 bus link from Melbourne Airport.

“Some tourists would wonder about the claims of Melbourne as the world’s most liveable city when they see Broadmeadows station,” Cr Taylor said.

She said tourists also struggled to find the bus terminal.

Hume councillors Naim Kurt, Jodi Jackson and Jack Medcraft among the rubbish at Broadmeadows train station. Picture: Kylie Else

“If our tourism ministers could see how much of a puzzle it is to get to the bus, it could attract some funding, even if it is just better signage,” Cr Taylor said.

Aitken Ward councillor Jodi Jackson said the different approach was valid.

“I’m looking forward to the ministers accepting the invitation so they get to experience the heady aromas of Broadmeadows station,” she said.

Aitken Ward councillor Joseph Haweil said that as a commuter, he got to see tourists disembark at the station.

“I appreciate the novelty of this move, there are serious problems at the station,” he said.

“I see tourists every day and it’s a pretty unappealing station to arrive at.”

State Tourism Minister John Eren has been invited to tour Broadmeadows train station. Picture: Sarah Matray

Broadmeadows was the sixth most loathed station in Victoria in the recent 2017 RACV and Leader News On Track survey in which more than 17,000 commuters scored their departing stations on criteria including parking, cleanliness, shelter, safety and bus/tram connections.

Last month, the Leader spoke to Broadmeadows commuters who were unsurprised by the ranking, describing the station as a pigsty, unsafe and desperately in need of a facelift.

The tracks were strewn with rubbish including clothes, cans, bottles, cardboard and cigarettes.

While $4 million was committed to the station last financial year by the State Government, that funding package was widely canned by Hume councillors who said it would achieve little more than cosmetic improvement. Works are expected to start next month and be finished before the end of the year.

The package funded a new northern entrance, concourse and toilets, and renovations to the pedestrian subway.

A spokesman for state Tourism Minister John Eren, Kosta Pandos, told the Leader they “know the role Broadmeadows station plays for both visitors and locals to get where they need to go”.

“The government is considering a range of options to improve the passenger experience,” he aid.

The apparent pitch to tourism ministers comes after the Sunday screening of the popular magazine show Postcards focused on Hume.