THE State Government has talked up new works at Blackburn railway station as part of the level crossing removal, but Whitehorse Council says they are not nearly enough.

The council has now joined the chorus of traders, commuters and residents calling on the Government to include a complete rebuild of the station in the Blackburn Rd crossing removal project.

The Whitehorse Leader is also jumping on-board with a four-week campaign to highlight the need for the Government to do the job properly.

The council will write to Premier Daniel Andrews and Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan demanding that Blackburn station be redeveloped in a similar way to Nunawading and Mitcham stations, which were both rebuilt below ground level.

The council believes the Government’s decision to only lower the tracks at Blackburn will not fix disability access issues, the cramped and stench-filled underpass, or the fact the station and railway line divide residents to the north from businesses to the south.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Should the station go underground? Tell us below

Cr Raylene Carr said she thought the “community deserves better”.

“We need to do everything in our power to make them listen and not give up until we’ve got what we want,” Cr Carr said.

Cr Andrew Munroe said the underpass was about 50 years old and would not be able to handle the “tremendous growth” in the future.

“It’s not fit for the current task so it certainly won’t be fit for future growth.

media_camera The the small, dark and dingy underpass suffers from flooding and the regular smell of urine. Picture: Richard Serong

“It needs more than just a new floor and some metal cladding.”

Cr Denise Massoud said many people were “under the misapprehension Blackburn station was being redeveloped in the same way as Nunawading and Mitcham”.

Eastern Region state Labor MP Shaun Leane announced last week extra funding had been allocated for proposed works to rejuvenate the areas around the station, including drainage improvements for the underpass.

New stairs and access ramps are to be built and the forecourt areas will also be upgraded.

“Blackburn train station is part of your community, and community input and feedback has been greatly appreciated and a key part of developing the station precinct improvements,” Mr Leane said.

“The station underpass has been a huge frustration for the local community and I’m pleased to confirm it will be upgraded — it’s about time.”