By Rowena Joske
From the Millers Road bridge, you can still spot the old Paisley Station platform – closed over forty years ago. As Altona North is growing, so is the need for better public transport. Now, there’s a petition to parliament to bring Paisley Station back to Altona North. It’s aiming for 10,000 signatures, so get on board!
A station that once served the west
Paisley Station opened in 1929, mainly serving local workers. But, in 1985, the Altona Loop connection between Westona and Laverton opened, and Werribee line trains were diverted via Altona rather than the direct route. With not many passengers using them, Paisley and nearby Galvin stations were closed.
The last train stopped at Paisley in April 1985. Since then, things have changed – a lot. Momentum to bring a station back to Altona North is growing.
Local land-use is changing
The closure of the Mobil refinery in 2021 removed the need for planning restrictions that limited housing density. Hobsons Bay Council is now exploring new uses for parts of the refinery site in its industrial land-use strategy.
At the same time, housing stress is a real issue in Altona North, just like the rest of Australia. Affordable rentals are hard to find, and buying a home has become increasingly difficult. The Victorian Government plans for 22,500 more homes in Hobsons Bay by 2051. If the State expects that level of growth in established suburbs like Altona North – which currently has limited public transport and high car dependency– it will need to invest in the infrastructure to make it possible.
A new station here could help unlock both jobs and much-needed homes. The site is right in the busy Millers Road corridor, connecting major employers and existing bus routes—plus rapid bus links recommended by Infrastructure Victoria.
The biggest gap in Melbourne’s rail network
In its 30-year strategy, Infrastructure Victoria – the state’s independent infrastructure advisory body – identified Altona North as a priority for a new station. One reason: a station would support rezoning, allowing more homes close to public transport.
There’s also a big gap here: the stretch between Newport and Laverton has the longest run without a station in Melbourne’s metro rail network. A new station could triple the number of jobs locals can reach within 45 minutes by public transport.
What clinched it? In modelling for the strategy, the Altona North station proposal ranked highest of all assessed transport projects.
The modelling showed this station would deliver big improvements in public transport access– and be relatively cheap to build. It’s estimated to cost $140–$240 million, modest compared to other big transport projects. For the first time since it closed in 1985, bringing a train station back to Altona North is a real prospect.
Local resident Ariel Beninca has launched a parliamentary petition calling on the Victorian Government to support planning for a new Altona North (Paisley) station.
If it gets 10,000 signatures, the government must respond in parliament. It doesn’t guarantee a station, but it puts the need in the spotlight. The petition runs until 23 June.
If you want to get on board, add your name here:
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/altona-north-train-station
For now, the old Paisley platform remains beside the Werribee line, visible from passing trains and from the Millers Road bridge above.
In a growing area that needs more affordable housing and better public transport, it’s time to bring a station back to Altona North.
