Why Mentone Station Needs A Facelift

A plaque that captures Mentone Station’s heritage each time a visitor walks into the local train station is undoubtedly a nostalgic ode to the past. But the now narrow platforms with minimal shelter and the level crossing are outdated, rather than nostalgic. So how do we prevent Mentone Station being labelled a relic of the past?  

Well, put simply, Mentone Station needs a facelift.

This train station serves many people, every single day as it has done since it opened in 1881. It is a local hub for Bayside commuters, providing a necessary connection to several local schools, retailers and offices. Melbourne’s population is only continuing to grow, with suburbs becoming more populous. So, Mentone Station needs to unite its past with the present.

A fully functioning train station creates happier commuters and better traffic conditions. Level crossings tend to generate strife for all involved. As part of the Level Crossing Removal Authority’s project, Mentone Station will be undergoing redevelopments in 2018/2019. At the forefront of this update will be the lowering of the railway lines into an underground trench. Local drivers will be able to experience stress-free peak hour driving with traffic times slashed by several minutes. Zero congestion, zero problems!

The iconic façade of Mentone Station is heritage listed, along with its surrounding landscaped gardens. But let’s be clear; when I mentioned facelift, I didn’t mean demolition. It is important to the community to preserve the historical heritage of the old Mentone station. However, some much needed structural and aesthetic improvements have been proposed to make the station safer and more practical for commuters. Platform widening, increased shelter and seating, and lighting have been discussed as part of the upgrade. Modernising the current station is not something to fear, but something to be excited for as it will enable more commuters to navigate and utilise Mentone Station.  

Ultimately, a train station that runs smoothly drives the much-needed flow of foot-traffic to local businesses. We’ve seen it with other train stations like Balaclava Station, where local businesses began to prosper following station redevelopments. People are more likely to linger in an area and follow their curiosity if their first point of contact with their destination was pleasant.

So, not only is the station upgrade good for business, but it will slash traffic wait times by several minutes and whilst remaining a safe hub for locals. Maybe this facelift will encourage more people to call Mentone Station their local…