Article: Push to fix derelict station gathers momentum

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Push to fix derelict station gathers momentum

Push to fix derelict station gathers momentum

Cameron Best   |  August 24th, 2012



SUPPORT is growing for a move to fix the derelict and isolated Corio railway station and improve access for people in the northern suburbs.

Geelong council candidate Tony Ansett wants the State Government to investigate linking Avalon airport to a new Corio station instead of the current plan to create a rail link to Lara.

While the line would have to be longer, traversing south to Corio over Hovells Creek rather than west to Lara, it wouldn't have to cross the Princes Freeway.

"I'd be keen to see the cost difference compared to what it would cost to get over the freeway with a bridge," Mr Ansett said.

Under Mr Ansett's vision, the Corio station would be relocated to School Rd, near the Bunnings Hardware store and a car park built on the Corio side of the line with a walkover to a train platform.

"Bringing it back up towards the new shopping centre would bring it into vision and, by linking the Avalon airport, you're creating a hub," Mr Ansett said.

"If ever there was a need for public transport for people in the north, it's now."

The shambolic state of the unmanned Corio station was highlighted in Federal Parliament this week, with Corio MP Richard Marles labelling it a disgrace.

The station sits on a lonely patch of land, sandwiched between the Shell refinery and its open paddock buffer zone.

"It's not a facility, it's just hopeless and you can't help but feel they are trying to kill it by neglect," Mr Marles said.

Mr Marles' suggestion for the station was to build a new car park on the vacant land, effectively turning the station around and linking it to the shopping precinct and the Princes Highway.

He said Shell, which owns the land, was open to discussions with the State Government.

"The State Government should be picking up the phone today to Shell," he said.

The Public Transport Users Association has suggested two smaller-scale fixes which would improve access - making the road into the station suitable for buses (they currently terminate nearly half a kilometre away at School Rd) and building footpaths from Bunnings to the station.

"We've got to cut our cloth to suit the times and, while there are bigger changes that could be made if the money was there, we'd just like to see buses coming right into the station and a footpath so people can more easily access the station," Geelong branch convenor Paul Westcott said.

Mr Marles said all suggestions should be investigated.

"It is symbolic of the lack of transport provided to the northern suburbs of Geelong so any ideas on how that can be improved would be welcome," he said.