Watsonia Train Station

Watsonia Train Station exterior view.

What we are seeking

We are seeking Victorian Government investment to design a new Watsonia Railway Station that complies with accessibility standards; integrates with the Watsonia Shopping Precinct; activates the station and town centre development and supports the need for more key worker accommodation.

We are also asking for coordination of the new station to be built with construction of North East Link.

What it will deliver

Upgrading Watsonia Railway Station will address pressing safety issues and deliver more commuters into the local shopping precinct.

What you can do

You can contact a member of parliament to raise concern and ask for action on this issue.

Lower house

Upper house

Overview

Last overhauled in 1979, the station adjoins the local shopping village, but is not part of the streetscape as it is in a trench and difficult to access. Many commuters also do not frequent the town centre on their return journey with parking inaccessible from Watsonia Road.

It is becoming urgent to address these design challenges because:

  • Access to Watsonia Station is provided by a non-DDA compliant ramp. The poor amenity of this access and the lack of a lift to the platform discourages ot prevents use by some passengers. The current access is equally unsafe from a Crime Prevention Through Environment Design (CPTED) perspective.
  • Victoria is experiencing a housing crisis and Watsonia has capacity and demand for key worker and affordable housing.
  • Best practice design for railway stations is to be integrated as an activated activity hub with 24/7 uses like restaurants, open space and other services.
  • More than 90% of current traders in the Watsonia Town Centre doubt their business will survive the disruptions during the 7-year construction phase of the North East Link.
  • for the Watsonia Station UDLP to be decided as a matter or urgency, and to include a transformational redevelopment of the Watsonia Station that integrates best-practice transport and land use to respond to the unique precinct opportunity currently present.

The station has significant redevelopment potential including:

  • a multi-deck carpark with restaurants, community services and housing to activate the precinct 24/7
  • integration of future development with the new Watsonia Town Square
  • developing more key worker housing in the station precinct across North East Link to the east.

Why now?
There are significant opportunities to improve the urban design outcomes of Watsonia Station to support future residential growth. It is important to address this during the North East Link construction phase to avoid prolonged disturbance of traders in Watsonia beyond the North East Link Project completion in 2028-29.

Location

Watsonia Station, town centre, Watsonia 3087  View Map

Google Map

Priority at a glance

Officer

Advocacy Team
9490 4222
advocacy@banyule.vic.gov.au

Fast facts

Priority: Safe and accessible train station for all

Electorate: Bundoora

Key focus

Accessibility, local economy, inclusion, safety

Recent updates

  • Met with the Member for Bundoora, the Hon Colin Brooks and requested facilitation of meeting with appropriate ministers and government officials.
  • Met with NELP Executive officers and requested a meeting to start planning for the Watsonia Station carpark area.
  • Prepared concept plans for Watsonia Station development showing how it needs to integrate with Watsonia Town Square and shops. Renders are also underway.
  • Met with the office of the Minister for Public and Active Transport to highlight the importance of a new Watsonia Station to meet accessibility and safety guidelines.
  • Met with Federal Senator, the Hon Jane Hume and outlined the importance of an improved Watsonia Station that integrates with local shopping precinct and town square.
  • Met with local State and Federal MPs to discuss major redevelopment of the Watsonia Railway Station and carpark after it was removed from the latest North East Link draft Urban Design Landscape Plans.
  • Council proposed a transformational redevelopment of the Watsonia Station that integrates best-practice transport and land use and that must coincide with North East Link construction timelines.
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