Ministerial Statement: Young Gardeners Dig In To Help Make Railway Station ...

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Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
29/02/2008

Young Gardeners Dig In To Help Make Railway Station Greener

Green thumbs from Mitchelton State Special School are rolling up their sleeves and planting natives at a new car park at their local railway station.

Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Gary Fenlon today said the students were applying a final "green" touch to the new 72-bay car park off Kedron Avenue due to open on Monday March 3.

"They are planting natives to replace trees that were removed to make way for the new car park," Mr Fenlon said.

"I thank these students for bringing out the gardening tools and doing their bit for the community."

Mr Fenlon also announced construction of a new bus interchange at Mitchelton Railway Station would begin on Monday.

"Mitchelton station is a key public transport node in the city's north-west and this upgrade - totalling $2.7 million - will enable locals to benefit from integrated bus and rail services and a new secure car park," he said.

Mr Fenlon said the interchange would become a new stop within a number of existing bus routes and include new seating, waiting shelters, signage, bike lockers, and a 'kiss 'n' ride' facility for passenger set-down and pick-up.

"QR and TransLink are delivering this project to improve the station through coordinating bus and rail services at one convenient location and ultimately encouraging people to use public transport," Mr Fenlon said.

Passenger Services Executive General Manager Andy Taylor said the new car park would improve access to the station and features additional lighting and security cameras, making it much safer and secure.

"Ensuring the safety of our customers is one of our key priorities we will continue to work with TransLink to upgrade railway station car parks across the network."

Mr Taylor said the students were planting the trees as part of their gardening program that promotes team building.

"We are delighted the students are donning their safety vests and planting native trees.

"We invited the school to help out with this QR initiative and we received a very enthusiastic response. For their efforts, each student is receiving a RailSmart gift bag, reminding them to be vigilant around trains and tracks," he said.

Mr Taylor said the McConaghy Street car park would close on Monday to allow works to begin on the bus interchange.

Three station car parks will remain open to the public. These are the existing car park and the new car park both on the southern side of the station via Kedron Avenue (behind Mitchelton State Special School and behind Doyles Home Timber and Hardware store), as well as the northern side of the station off Blackwood Street.

"Parking for people with disabilities will be located in the southern car parks off Kedron Avenue until the bus interchange upgrade is complete," Mr Taylor said.

"The interchange is due for completion in mid-2008, and once operational, will provide more choice and opportunity for public transport travel throughout the area."

February 29, 2008

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