Michael Sukkar and Jackson Taylor quiet on ideas to improve safety at Heathmont railway station

Two MPs are yet to announce any new safety initiatives at a Melbourne railway station where a woman was attacked after dark earlier this year.

The eastern side of Heathmont railway station near FJC Reserve. Picture: Hamish Blair

Deakin Federal Liberal MP Michael Sukkar has promised appropriate safety features for Heathmont railway station’s new multi-level carpark.

But Mr Sukkar is yet to give a date for when the new carpark will be built and said responsibility for the station’s safety issues lies with the State Government.

Maroondah Leader launched its Make Our Station Safe campaign last month after a woman was attacked as she left the station.

Mr Sukkar said he was “horrified” to hear of the safety concerns expressed by Heathmont commuters.

“As our public transport system is operated by the State Government, it is time for the state Labor Government and the local state Member for Bayswater to start listening to the safety concerns of Heathmont residents and to deliver on safety measures for Heathmont station,” he said.

Deakin federal Liberal MP Michael Sukkar has called on the State Government to fix safety issues at Heathmont railway station.

Mr Sukkar said the Federal Government and Maroondah Council would work to construct the pledged commuter carparks at Heathmont, Heatherdale, Ringwood and Croydon “as quickly as possible”. He did not give specific dates for their delivery.

The State Government upgraded the station’s CCTV cameras in April and PSOs patrol at the station from 6pm to the last train on weeknights and all night on Fridays and Saturdays.

Department of Transport spokesman Joel Dwyer said the new cameras offered “clearer vision to deter potential offenders”.

But the Government has no plans to add more PSOs or make any other improvements to the station.

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“The Department of Transport works closely with Victoria Police to help reduce incidents, identify offenders and make passengers aware of the many safety features across the network,” Mr Dwyer said.

Bayswater state Labor MP Jackson Taylor did not say what improvements he thought could be made to the station.

But Mr Taylor said he would work with the community, the council and the Government on ways to “boost safety and perceptions of safety” at the station.

Bayswater state Labor MP Jackson Taylor wants to boost safety at Heathmont station but has not outlined any ideas. Picture: Sarah Matray

“Everybody has the right to feel safe around and on public transport and Heathmont station is no exception,” he said.

A footpath and FJC Rogers Reserve on Campbell St adjacent to the station is managed by Maroondah Council.

Mayor Rob Steane said the council was “undertaking a renewal” of the footpath and would consider additional lighting.

Cr Steane said it would be inappropriate to put lighting in the reserve’s bushland.

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