The Andrews Labor Government will invest $100 million to save the crumbling Flinders Street Station and make the station more functional for passengers.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, visited Flinders Street Station today and announced that funds will be provided to undertake urgent restoration works and upgrade station platforms, entrances, toilets and information displays.
The previous Liberal Government held an indulgent colouring-in competition while the station fell apart, producing space-age designs but no works, no funding and no improvement.
Without urgent heritage works, parts of the station will become unsafe, unusable and eventually, unsalvageable.
The Labor Government’s $100 million investment will fund urgent works to repair the building’s crumbling exterior and clock tower, and fix the leaky roof.
Works will also help commuters and tourists who use the station every day. Platforms and entrances will be upgraded to ease the passenger crush at peak times and allow people to get through the gates faster.
Toilets will be fixed, dingy and underutilised areas will be cleaned up and well-lit, and new information displays will make it easier for passengers to know what platform they need to be on, and when.
The project will commence this year. It will create jobs, boost the surrounding commercial precinct and help keep Melbourne a tourist destination.
In addition, a business case is being developed which will allow the Labor Government to consider options to fix the old ballroom and other derelict parts of the building. Our vision is to bring in new tenants and create an exciting commercial precinct.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“My first priority is making this dilapidated building the modern, passenger-friendly station that it should be.”
“Flinders St Station used to be the pride of our state, but now it’s an embarrassment. Disgusting toilets and dingy platforms don’t belong in our grand old dame.”
“I won’t sit by and watch this icon crumble. We’ll end the decay now – it’s the first step to restoring this station to its former glory.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan
“The Liberals held an indulgent colouring-in competition while the station fell apart. We’re actually getting on with the job.”
“We’ll clean up the station, ease the passenger crush and make it easier to know what platform you need to be on, and when.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020