Maroondah Leader launches ‘Make Our Station Safe’ campaign to improve Heathmont railway station

Following a sexual assault on its outskirts last month, commuters and Maroondah Leader are calling for urgent safety and lighting upgrades to Heathmont railway station.

Maroondah Leader is calling for urgent safety upgrades at Heathmont railway station. Picture: James Ross.

Commuters are calling for urgent safety upgrades at Heathmont railway station, claiming they no longer feel safe there at night.

Last month, a 21-year-old woman was groped by a man near the station as she walked home. The woman was forced to slap, scratch and scream to break free of the man and rush to the other side of the train tracks to alert Protective Services Officers.

Today, Maroondah Leader launches the Make Our Station Safe campaign and calls on all levels of government to deliver increased security, better lighting and upgrades to Heathmont station.

While neighbouring Belgrave line stations Ringwood and Bayswater have received major upgrades this decade, Heathmont has remained largely unchanged since a second platform was added in 1982.

Heathmont railway station has not had any major upgrades for more than 25 years. Picture: James Ross.

According to the Metro Trains website, it is unstaffed, has no toilets and only a small shelter on each platform.

Taking to the Maroondah Leader Facebook page, people voiced their fears of using the station at night.

Katie Barrett called for more lighting, clearing of trees and proper paths, and said she avoided using the station even though it was close to home.

The eastern side of Heathmont railway station backs out into bushland. Picture: Hamish Blair

Ian Richardson also called for more lighting, writing: “Even as a strong male, I feel totally uncomfortable walking from the Heathmont station.”

Kate Russell wrote: “Far too dark there. I would never go there unless it’s daylight.”

Carolyn Rodgers said the station had always been poorly lit with no clear view in any direction, while others called for more CCTV cameras away from the station.

There is minimal shelter and lighting on the eastern side of Heathmont railway station. Picture: James Ross.

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A Department of Transport spokeswoman, who declined to be named, said the State Government had upgraded lighting and CCTV and increased PSOs across the train network in the past four years.

She did not say if there were any upgrades planned at Heathmont.

Maroondah councillor Kylie Spears said the council would support any initiatives by Public Transport Victoria and Metro Trains to improve safety and amenities at the station.

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