This afternoon I was invited by Ryan Smith, the Liberal candidate for Warrandyte and Heidi Victoria, the Liberal candidate for Bayswater, to a policy announcement made delivered by Ted Baillieu, the leader of the Opposition, at Ringwood Station.

The policy announcement contains $120,000 for a security upgrade to Ringwood Station to ensure that the entire station, rather than just a designated ‘safety zone’ are monitored by police. The commitment is based upon a similar project that has been operating at Lilydale where the police actively monitor the security cameras installed at the rail station.

The program at Lilydale has been hailed a success since it has seen a reduction in vandalism, graffiti and other anti-social behaviour in and around the rail station. A similar program has also been proposed for both Croydon and Mooroolbark.

Ringwood Station is often perceived as being unsafe and as such it is imperative that safety concerns at stations such as Ringwood are addressed. Ringwood as the junction between the Belgrave and Lilydale line is an extremely busy station and at times is the scene of anti-social behaviour, the installation of actively monitored security camera will help address these safety concerns.

The installation of security cameras will also assist in improving the safety of the local area while the much-needed plans for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station are implemented. It is worth noting that at this time neither major party has committed itself to the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

It is hoped that this policy announcement will demonstrate the wider need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into a well lit, safe and accessible modern rail station. I look forward to the unveiling of further policy releases over the next eight weeks.