Train draft ‘way off track’

By Shaun Inguanzo
IMPROVEMENTS to Dandenong’s Train Station precinct have been labelled ‘Mickey Mouse’ approaches to transforming central Dandenong into a transport hub.
Urban planner Kevin O’Leary, who worked for 12 months on the Revitalising Central Dandenong project, this week said that VicUrban’s Urban Master Plan for the $290 million Revitalising Central Dandenong project released last week did not seriously address the train station precinct’s potential.
The train station lies between Foster Street and Cheltenham Road and under the plan, will be connected to Lonsdale Street via a pedestrian-friendly route known as City Walk.
Dandenong has been labelled a Transit City by the State Government, and the series of planned improvements appears in VicUrban’s master plan as follows:
A NEW public plaza linking the station to City Walk and Foster Street.
A SAFE and convenient drop off and pick up area for public transport travellers, buses and taxis.
PUBLIC plaza with shade, beauty, public enjoyment, event and festivals to attract people.
SEATING areas to rest and meet people.
LIGHTING to promote safety.
NEW development opportunities around the arrival plaza including retail, education, residential and offices with a view to servicing the western part of the city.
A NEW arrival plaza south of the station linking through to existing and new residences and to the Dandenong creeklands.
But Mr O’Leary said the plans were of ‘local nature’ and not indicative of a city that had been earmarked as a transport hub.
“These proposals are pretty Mickey Mouse and certainly not in line with a city that is purporting to be a transit city,” he said.
In Mr O’Leary’s own 15-page report critiquing the master plan, he refers to overseas examples of how Dandenong could be made more transport-friendly.
His report says that VicUrban should have conducted more consultation with people living outside of Dandenong but coming to work, shop or visit the city.
This, he says, would help determine the potential of the station precinct and what type of commercial or residential opportunities travellers are seeking.
Mr O’Leary suggests that ‘park and ride’ facilities be introduced to eliminate the ‘sea’ of cars at the station.
Buses would take people from multistorey car parks located in other parts of the city to the station, and back, he says.