In February this year the Baillieu government made the decision to abandon the previous Labor government’s plan to upgrade the North Shore railway station in Geelong. This decision was met with criticism from the Geelong community, because as each and every person who uses or has family who uses this station knows, it is in desperate need of an upgrade. It is clear that the Minister for Public Transport is not aware of the condition of the station. He has stated on record that the station is not a priority because it only services three trains per week. Actually 108 trains stop at North Shore station each week.
Recently a member of the Geelong police weighed in on this issue, detailing a number of security measures that are needed at the station to keep passengers safe.
Leading Senior Constable Adrian Goodwin was quoted in the Geelong Advertiser as saying that the station needs communication facilities and information on taxi services, a shelter, lighting at the Overland disembarking ramp and a designated taxi stand. I have attended the North Shore station on dozens of occasions, including one afternoon when I met with the current meet-and-greet team, which welcomes interstate travellers disembarking from the Overland train. The facilities are far from acceptable, and the station’s isolation and lack of services must be addressed immediately. On 31 October supporters of the North Shore station will hold a rally at the station to highlight its lack of facilities. It is shameful that the minister has continued to state that the safety of those using North Shore station is not a priority.