- Published:
- Monday 21 September 2015
Works on the Andrews Labor Government’s $100 million restoration and upgrade of Flinders Street Station will begin next week.
Acting Premier and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan visited the Melbourne icon today to detail works to make the station safer, brighter and more user-friendly.
From next week, lighting on platforms will be upgraded and redundant departure and signage boards will be removed.
Further improvements – including better access to the station and platforms, upgrades to the dingy toilets and installation of bigger, more helpful passenger information boards – will follow over the coming months.
These works are in addition to the new, faster, next-generation myki readers that were installed on all gates last month.
Urgent works to repair the building's crumbling exterior and clock tower, and fix the leaky roof will also begin in the coming months.
Ms Allan also announced that Major Projects Victoria has begun work on a business case for the restoration of the interior of the Administration Building, and its potential future use.
It will consider a range of redevelopment options, including what could be done with the Station’s historic, decaying ballroom.
Flinders Street Station is more than 100 years old and is the busiest station in Victoria, with more than 26 million passenger trips a year.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier and Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan
“Flinders Street Station is the heart of our train network, and it is falling apart. That’s why the Andrews Labor Government is investing $100 million to save this Melbourne icon, and make it easier for passengers to use”
“Flinders Street handles more than 26 million passenger trips a year, yet the toilets are dingy, the walls are crumbling and the roof leaks.”
“Over the coming months, we’ll fix the roof, restore the façade and give the station a new lick of paint. We’ll also make it safer and more user-friendly for passengers, with brighter lighting, better access and clear information.”
“Flinders Street Station should be the pride of our city, and we’re investing the money, time and effort to return it to its former glory.”