So, given the success community pressure in Blackburn, there is some hope for Essendon and any other locations where they are not moving existing DDA non-compliant stations adjacent to level crossings may be upgraded.

Bendigo station has side platforms, linked by a footbridge with stairs.

The only accessible route between the two sides is by existing the station and following a public road at the down end, so a new DDA compliant footbridge is being built:

https://www.victrack.com.au/projects/key-projects/bendigo-and-eaglehawk-station-upgrades

Out at Blackburn the level crossing removal project wasn’t going to alter the station, but the locals managed to get the LXRA to make the existing station subway DDA compliant.

http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media-library/news/blackburn-station-enhancements

The fact that the subway flooded every time it rained probably had something to do with it!

Thanks for pointing out the footbridge at Sunbury – I’d forgotten about it completely!

I’ll have to add the footbridge there to my list if things to photograph.

Sorry. An overlooked letter and word typo.

It should read “Both sides of new island platforms now have to be straight (line of sight for door closing and departing and/or DDA compliance)”.

I hope it is much clearer now.

“Both sides of island platforms not have to be straight (line of sight for door closing and departing and/or DDA compliance) ”
There appears to be an error there creating the possibility of misunderstanding your meaning. Could you clarify please?

Both sides of island platforms not have to be straight (line of sight for door closing and departing and/or DDA compliance) and that seems to have increased the line speeds that express trains are allow to run at line speed past both sides of island platforms.

Side platforms only avoid the need for ramps/stairs/lifts when they are at level crossings for pedestrians.

Island platforms are necessary at all* stations where there are more than 2 platforms.

* The 2 exceptions to this (in Victoria) were East Camberwell 1900-1927 (the then platform 3 was a lower level platform for the Deepdene Line) and Footscray 1900-2013 (the then only middle platform is a peninsular platform with access from McNab Avenue, there is now an additional island platform because of the RRL).

Side platforms also have a straighter path for non-stopping trains.

The assertion that each platform at Footscray has some street access, seems odd.

I am sure that the skyrail stations are going to get stretcher capable lifts. Decent reliability is also likely to be included.

Two lifts can be useful is situations other than emergencies and maintenance. They are useful at busy times/stations to reduce lift waiting time and they are also useful at multi entrance stations to reduce detours to reach lifts (a repeat of Parliament and Melbourne Central where lifts are only available for one concourse, leading to people being stretchered out by paramedics from the southern concourse via the escalators to the platforms, to access the lifts to street level).

The highest priority stations for improving to DDA compliance are probably junctions, so people who need full DDA compliance can use them rather than having to go to a station further down the line to change and double back. The next most important stations are busy stations, where the upgrades will have the most impact. Both of these criteria indicate that Caulfield and South Yarra, which need new concourses to cope with current and future patronage, are some of the highest priorities for upgrades. Richmond, Glenferrie, Box Hill, Newport, Camberwell, et are others.