Include toilet facilities at the new Ringwood East Station

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the Victorian Big Build Level Crossing Removal Project in Dublin Road, Ringwood East which is currently under construction. However, this multi-million dollar upgrade does not include toilet facilities, which should be a basic right, the Government is missing the mark. This is an amazing opportunity to significantly improve the functionality, character and pride of place for Ringwood East’s locals, visitors and businesses for years to come.

This train station and public space must be better than before, designed to provide comfort, accessibility, safety, inclusiveness, health & wellbeing for all in our community. We fully anticipate more foot traffic from the new apartments and 460 car spaces at the new train station. This new public space must not be trapped in the past, it must change and adapt for the future. A newly designed concourse will connect the north and south residential areas, shops, health services and platforms, the missing piece of the puzzle is toilet facilities.

All communities face challenging members, prioritising the needs of the majority over concerns that relate to the few is crucial. Located across from shops, this bustling concourse and forecourt will be filled with foot traffic everyday, evolving into a vibrant hub fostering community connectivity, economic growth, and local pride. As community members urgently seek restroom access from shops, resorting to makeshift solutions (trees, before construction removed them) and facing accidents in stores, the question becomes… if not now, then when?

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to change the design of the development of the new Ringwood East Station to follow its own urban design principles and objectives, include toilet facilities and ensure that the design reflects the needs and aspirations of the community that it will serve for many years to come.