Morayfield train station will be demolished in the coming weeks so it can be replaced by a modern station complex equipped with lifts and a range of facilities to improve access for all.

Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said once the work was complete the station would be transformed for people with disabilities, users of mobility aids, seniors, parents with prams and travellers with luggage.

“This is a fantastic project for our community,” Mr Ryan said.

“It is a major upgrade that will support around 250 jobs for contractors and suppliers from the construction industry, including electrical, carpentry, painting, plumbing, labouring, roofing, glazing and traffic control, which is great news.

“This includes the demolition of the old station building which will be replaced with more modern facilities, including accessible toilets, in line with the new station aesthetic.

“Already, early works have seen the installation of safety fencing, minor platform works including vegetation removal and the relocation of ticketing equipment, and the return of student artwork originally installed by Morayfield East State School in 2006.”

Mr Ryan said work would ramp up in the coming weeks and passengers would notice changes to some station access points and pedestrian pathways, in addition to the realignment of the footbridge stairs to enable construction works on platform 1.

“From early 2019, platform raising at the assisted boarding points will commence and a new pedestrian footbridge with lifts will be installed later in the year,” he said

“The project will also deliver a range of other improvements including hearing aid loops and tactile surfaces, upgraded security cameras and lighting and improved platform signage in the raised area.”

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the upgrade was part of a $300 million investment by the Palaszczuk Government to improve accessibility at stations across the South East Queensland train network.

“Since we introduced our Fairer Fares, reducing the cost of travel on the network, more people are taking the train.

“With Fairer fares, which has saved customers more than $117 million since 2016, and increased investment in the stations and facilities, it is no surprise that more people in the south east want to use the rail network.

“In the last financial year there were 1.7 million more rail trips than in 2016-17,” he said.

“With major work now under way, the Morayfield station upgrade is expected to be completed in mid-2020, alongside similar upgrades to Strathpine and Boondall stations,” he said.

“Through the program, station upgrades have also been completed at Nambour, Dinmore, Graceville, Newmarket and Alderley stations, while further planning and design work is underway for the next pipeline of upgrades at Buranda, Albion, Cannon Hill, Dakabin, Auchenflower, East Ipswich and Loganlea.

“Residents may at times notice some noise associated with the works, and Queensland Rail thanks customers and the community for their patience during this important project.

“While this project may impose some temporary disruptions, it is important we put in place improvements now that will ensure the Morayfield community is well-connected and accessible into the future.”

“Patronage shows 83 per cent of Queensland Rail’s customers will travel to and from accessible stations once these projects are complete,” Mr Bailey said.

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