The $100 million restoration and upgrade of Melbourne’s Flinders Street railway station will begin next week.
Public transport minister Jacinta Allan visited the iconic station, the busiest in the Melbourne metropolitan network, on Monday, and said the Andrews Government was getting on with works to make the station safer, brighter and more user-friendly.
New, faster myki readers will be installed on all gates. Lighting on platforms will be upgraded, and redundant departure and signage boards will be removed from next week.
Over the coming months, further improvements will include better access to the station and platforms, upgrades to the ‘dingy’ toilets, and installation of bigger, more helpful passenger information boards, Allan said.
“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.”
The main station building at Flinders Street was built in 1909, and is known for its dome, arches on its external façade, and clocks. But Allan says “urgent” repairs and upgrades are needed to repair the building’s exterior, and to fix a leaky roof.
“Flinders Street handles more than 26 million passenger trips a year, yet the toilets are dingy, the walls are crumbling and the roof leaks,” Allan said.
“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.”
Allan also announced on Monday 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, the minister added.
“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.”