HASTINGS’ stalwart Brian Stahl has called on the state government to take action to remedy the “deplorable state” of the Hastings railway station. In a letter to Hastings MP Paul Mercurio, Stahl said “As a significant public transport arrival point it leaves a lot to be desired”. “Surely this is not an acceptable situation and certainly not a welcoming place for those who regularly use the station or visit Hastings for the first time by public transport. “On behalf of our community I appeal to have this unacceptable situation dealt with promptly and properly maintained in the future.”
Nearly all stations along the Frankston line have been rebuilt, but along the Stony Point line, infrastructure has been left untouched. Stahl pointed out to Mercurio that during the years of Hastings Neighbourhood Renewal (2005 – 2013) the Western Port Warriors Football team painted the building, and effort was put in to using the vacant building onsite for a community enterprise.
On the 125th anniversary of the railway coming to Hastings the ward councillor at the time, David Garnock, arranged for planter boxes to be installed, along with trees placed along the fence of the railway house. “The planter boxes stand empty, and the vegetation along the fence is overgrown now. Nothing has been done to maintain and beautify the area,” said Stahl. “And that’s not even mentioning the dilapidated state of the roadway. It is full of potholes and completely lacking in any form of maintenance.”
Mercurio did not reply to a request for comment, but his office did forward an email also received by The News from Metro Trains stating “All rail stations across the metropolitan network are cleaned daily, and we run a comprehensive schedule of cleaning works – including pressure washing platforms – conducted every two months.” The email also stated Hastings Station would be “deep cleaned in the week commencing 10 November”.
“I think this tells us everything we needed to know,” said Stahl. “The infrastructure is crumbling, and all the state government will offer is a pressure wash.” “Maybe it is time for the community to take matters into their own hands once again. The Hastings railway precinct is a huge tract of land that could offer so much to the community. The vacant land could be planted out into parkland or a community garden. The building could be repurposed for community use, and the area could be beautified to show the pride we have in our town.” “Once again, when it comes to Hastings, our only options are do either do it ourselves, or leave it undone.”
First published in the Western Port News – 13 November 2024
