Southland shopping centre train station is nearly ready for Cheltenham commuters

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

SOUTHLAND WORKS ON 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.

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.

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.

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