Station on track

THE Cardinia Road Railway Station is on track, with construction set to begin this year.
Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said the State Government was planning ahead for the population growth in Officer and Pakenham.
“The new train station at Cardinia Road in Pakenham will better connect communities to jobs, study and entertainment,” he said.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said the station design provided safe access to public transport for passengers who combined different modes of travel to get to and from the station.
“Passengers will be able to move easily around the station and will have access to a range of facilities to make their journey efficient including car parking, bicycle facilities and drop-off zones,” Ms Lobato said.
“The new station is a real boost for this community and reflects the ongoing development in the Casey-Cardinia growth area, including three new neighbourhood activity centres, and the addition of a new suburb accommodating 10,000 houses. During the coming months, the Department of Transport will hold community information sessions so people can find out about their new station.”
But Eastern Victoria MP Edward O’Donohue said the State Government questioned why the station’s budget had nearly tripled.
“The vitally needed Cardinia Road Railway Station has seen its costs blow out from around $20 million in 2006 to nearly $55 million in 2008, while construction is still yet to begin,” he said.
“The Minister for Public Transport needs to explain how these projects have blown out by so much in such a short period of time.” Mr O’Donohue said he would ask the State Government to explain the cost blowout in Parliament this week.
The station will feature two platforms, CCTV surveillance, bicycle access, and an underpark link.