By Alesha Capone
THE campaign to re-open Paisley and Galvin Railway Stations has stepped up, with Hobsons Bay City Council calling on the Transport Minister to meet with them over the issue.
Last week, the council voted to write to the Minister and ask him to discuss the fate of the two disused stations, located between Newport and Laverton.
The municipality’s works and assets director, Phillip McDonald, said the council recently received a letter from the State Government which said they had “no intention” of re-opening Paisley and Galvin Railway Stations.
But councillor Tony Briffa said he hoped the council would receive a “favourable response” from the Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder, in reply to their latest plea.
Hobsons Bay CEO Bill Jaboor has also written to Mr Mulder recently, asking for a public meeting to discuss the new timetable changes which have been a problem for some commuters on the Altona train loop.
A Facebook page devoted to the issue, titled ‘Re-Open Paisley Station in Altona North’, has even been created.
The internet site states: “People living in Altona North have no access to train lines” and the
“nearest train stations to Altona North are 40 minutes walk away”..
The Facebook site encourages train travellers to sign an online petition for the reopening of Paisley Station.
So far, 13 people – mostly from Altona and Newport – have signed the petition, while more than 30 people have ‘liked’ the Facebook page.
Altona MP Jill Hennessy also recently called on the State Government to address “the very heavy demand for transport and stations” in Hobsons Bay and Wyndham.
