What about disability access at our central rail station

LETTER

Dear editor,
Your report in the 9 May edition, that $5 million will improve Her Maj’s inclusivity, I fully support. Why council didn’t buy the affordable building next door (Eureka House) is beyond me. It would have provided lift access to all levels of Her Maj, offered the potential to enlarge the foyer and provide office space for council that it currently leases elsewhere at an exorbitant price! Prove me wrong.
However, why, then, is our council silent on the essential need for DDA compliance – all abilities access – and upgrade at our historic central Ballarat rail station? Why isn’t it acting in the best interests of commuters now and into the future?
Our central station will become the hub for commuter transport for many decades to come, yet our council, the State government and the Federal government are ignoring the needs of people with disabilities – and, frankly, the needs of Ballarat commuters in general as well. Why?
Consider this need in light of the fact that Ballarat Station will see an unprecedented growth in commuters once services become more frequent and faster and the airport link is a reality.
Whilst council is in denial of its responsibility to commuters in terms of our essential community needs, the state government is gifting millions of dollars for an unwarranted “block of flats”, meeting space and retail, which is not needed at our central station. What we need is a 21st century all abilities accessible transport hub, essential for Ballarat’s future. Why is council not standing up for our community?
Ballarat deserves the same investment in regional rail that minor stations are receiving along the Ballarat rail corridor. Remember, Ballarat is projected to have 130,000 people by 2030, 140,000 by 2014, then close to 200,000 by 2050.
When will we as a community stand up and demand a fully accessible transport hub located at our central rail station in our CBD?.
Vote for Ballarat, demand that Labor and the Liberal National Coalition come on board, in a bipartisan gesture, to fix this disgraceful neglect of our historic station.
Ron Egeberg
Soldiers Hill