The State Government Budget was released last Tuesday and the Maroondah Journal has reported on the ramifications for Maroondah.
The State Government has delivered on its $39 million commitment towards the Ringwood Transport Interchange. While this funding is certainly welcome and will assist in improving bus, pedestrian, cyclist and taxi access to the Station it fails to deliver on the much needed redevelopment of Ringwood Station itself.
Cr Alex Makin welcomed the $39 million for the redevelopment of the Ringwood station forecourt and bus interchange, but said the Government had “not been forthcoming with funding for the second stage of the project”, such as the redevelopment of the station itself.
The announcement of this funding will mean that works will finally commence on the Ringwood Station forecourt, including measures to improve pedestrian access across Maroondah Highway. While these measures will improve access to the station, the current funding neglects to improve Ringwood Station, which currently fails disability compliance standards.
It is now hoped that the State Government will recognise the dire need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station in next year’s State Budget, once it begins the works on the Station forecourt and bus interchange.