Push for new Kingston train station

A new Canberra railway station should be built in the yet-to-be developed community of East Lake near Kingston, possibly comprising multiple storeys with housing on the upper levels, a new report has recommended.

The report also says the Australian Railway Historical Society and its museum and workshops should be relocated from its home of 30 years in Kingston to a battle-axe block in Fyshwick near Bunnings, with access from Tennant Street.

The society members have reacted variously from acceptance to anger, with one member, who did not want to be named, saying they were being pushed out of Kingston for a Government ''land grab''.

However, the society's president Stephen Buck said the society was ''quite resigned to the move'' from their current home on 4.3ha site north-west of the existing station.

''There's significant dollar value for the ACT Government in that land,'' he said.

''If we end up being surrounded by high-end real estate, there's a certain incompatibility between a museum and housing. We're not enthusiastic about moving, we would prefer to stay.''

However, Mr Buck was glad a passenger railway station might stay in the Kingston area rather than move to Fyshwick.

''I think that's a good move for the ACT community, because I think it's important to have a good rail service in and out of Canberra,'' he said.

Planning Minister Andrew Barr is today releasing the Railway Masterplan for the ACT, completed by consultants Parson Brinckerhoff for the ACT Planning and Land Authority. He said it would be followed next year by a feasibility study for the area, including community consultation.


Source: canberratimes.com.au