Box Hill station in Melbourne’s east needs an upgrade and Victorian Government funding
Melbourne’s Box Hill bus interchange and adjoining train station needs an upgrade to meet growing passenger numbers, according to a technical report released by Whitehorse City Council recently.
Box Hill is one of Melbourne’s most rapidly growing suburbs and the report highlights its ageing station’s inability to cope with the six million passengers travelling through every year, as well as the council’s ability to capitalise on the housing boom.
“Redevelopment of Box Hill transport interchange appears to be highly beneficial from a state economic perspective,” the report reads.
“Around $188 million in direct transport-related benefits has been identified, while timely redevelopment of the transport interchange offers the opportunity to underpin around $3 billion in broader economic benefits at Box Hill, mainly in the form of property development.”
Whitehorse Council wants the Victorian Government to contribute funds for a detailed business case for redeveloping the station, which the report says is urgently needed, as its residents become more dependent on public transport.
“State government should actively consider funding and undertaking a full business case process for redevelopment of the Box Hill transport interchange during 2016.
“A range of factors suggest that necessary decisions are imminent for Box Hill infrastructure.
“Box Hill should be viewed as a logical nationally significant employment cluster, and as Melbourne’s best opportunity for the creation of a second CBD in the tradition of Parramatta’s role in greater Sydney.”
The redevelopment of Box Hill Station is dependent on funding for a business case being included in this years’ Victorian Government budget.