By Vanessa Chircop
DOES the Laverton train station have fair disability access?
That is the question the council has put to several government bodies and local MPs including the Department of Transport and the Human Rights Commissioner seeking their advice on how the new Laverton train station satisfies disability standards and requirements in relation to the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act.
The station, which does not have ramp access but a lift that is often out of service, has been the cause of frustration for commuters since opening in 2010.
As reported by Star last September, the problem had become so bad that the former Transport Minister Martin Pakula recommended disabled and elderly commuters get Metro to foot the bill for their taxi fares when the lifts are down.
Deputy Mayor councillor Tony Briffa said it is important that all public transport facilities are accessible to people that are elderly and people with disabilities.
“Certainly the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities makes it mandatory for government or statutory bodies to ensure that they are,” he said.
Cr John Hogg said he would have expected more planning to have gone into the $80 million facility.
Cr Luba Grigorovitch said she hoped the $20 million allocated in the State Budget to accessibility to public transport would benefit Hobsons Bay.
