Public-private partnership mooted for Melton train stations

A council in Melbourne's outer west is exploring options for a public-private partnership to deliver two new train stations in the booming area. The proposed stations at Mt Atkinson and Thornhill Park have been demanded by residents for years.

Melton City Council will undertake preliminary discussions with the state government to gauge its interest in partnering on the project, which could also generate revenue for the council. Deputy Mayor Phillip Zada said the motion was about asking the state government if they would consider working together.

"Our community has been advocating for Thornhill Park and Mt Atkinson stations for years, and council continues to identify both as priorities in its transport advocacy," he said.

The council is also considering charging for parking at the stations. The two new stations on the Ballarat V/Line are listed on the council's election priorities, along with other transport projects, including road upgrades and electrification of the Melton rail line.

The Melton area is growing rapidly, with a population expected to reach 32,000 by 2051 in the Mt Atkinson residential development alone. Council data shows the municipality is growing at a rate of 6.61 per cent annually, more than three times faster than the Melbourne average of 2 per cent.

Residents are pressing for better infrastructure, with Mt Atkinson resident Jaksha Shah saying local infrastructure was a pressing election issue.

"I bought into a future where there was going to be a train station where I live, and the reality is very different," she said.

National Growth Areas Alliance chief executive Bronwen Clark said Melbourne's infrastructure, including train stations and community centres, had not kept pace with the growth of outer suburbia.

"There is a lack of ongoing state government funding or support for the infrastructure that communities need and economies need to thrive," she said.

Victorian Transport Minister Vicki Ward said Labor was building the Sunshine Superhub project, which would "allow for Melton line electrification and get more trains running in Melbourne's west".

"Jess Wilson's Liberal-One Nation Coalition are promising $40 billion in cuts and if elected, they will cut trains to Melton and send Victorian jobs overseas and buy expensive, foreign trains that don't suit our network," Ms Ward said.

Background

A new train station at Mt Atkinson was originally flagged in state government planning documents in 2017. The council argues building the new train stations and electrifying the Melton line will result in 12,000 fewer cars on the road a day by 2041 and 15,000 more commuters.

Crowded train station car parks are an issue across Melbourne, particularly in outer growth areas. The West Tarneit station further south has been open less than a month, and already the car park is regularly full by 8am.