Public have plenty to say about new station

JAY FIELDING

CONCEPT designs for a new Maryborough West Station have been revealed but the public has many of its own ideas.

The station is set to undergo a $12 million redevelopment, the first of five such rebuilds in regional Queensland.

The new facility will feature a customer lounge, device-charging stations, improved amenities, customer information display screens, new seating and installation of emergency help phones.

Accessibility will be a key issue addressed, with improvements to the entrance, paths, platforms, parking and toilets.

Public consultation has now begun to help shape the new station.

Ideas put forward by passengers and locals so far include secure parking, enclosed waiting areas, gardens, visitor information displays, better bus connections and murals and art installations reflecting Maryborough’s heritage and connection to train building.

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders said the current station was not fit for purpose.

“Have a look at it,” Mr Saunders said.

“For a start, it wasn’t built as a station. It was only built as a temporary station in 1989,” he said.

Mr Saunders said the building was uninviting, drab and did not have appropriate seating, forcing passengers to wait in the sun and rain.

“It’s just appalling if you want people to travel by train in this day and age,” he said.

“It looks like something that was behind the Iron Curtain.”

Mr Saunders attended an in-person consultation session at the station last Friday, and said staff had received useful feedback from locals.

“We’ve got some really good and sensible suggestions. They’re actually quite excited about the upgrade.”

Another in-person consultation session with Queensland Rail Travel staff will be held at the station today, Thursday, October 6, from 10am to 3pm.

The community consultation period ends on October 14 with final plans for the upgraded station due next year.

To provide feedback on the new station, phone 1800 722 203 or email stationsupgrade@qr.com. au.