“Sleepless nights” for Boronia cafe owner as station works cut off 50 percent of foot traffic

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story includes a misspelling of Kalyani Parkale.

We regret the error.

Boronia cafe owner Kalyani Parkale says she has lost 50 percent of her sales revenue since rail station upgrades began, closing the main pedestrian walkway to her coffee shop in late March.

With completion timelines changing, Parkale isn’t sure how she’ll keep the lights on before the crucial access point is reopened.

🏗️ What’s happening? Cranes, trucks and workers have descended on the Boronia station precinct as part of a $60 million rail upgrade, including a landscaped plaza between the station and Dorset Road, widening of the station concourse and new platform shelters.

• Boronia station will be closed from 11.30pm on Friday May 8 to late 2026, with a shuttle bus running commuters between Boronia, Bayswater and Ferntree Gully.

🗓️ Changing dates: In works notices seen by the Eastern Melburnian, the Big Build Rail team notified businesses in January that Lupton Way would be closed from February 24 to March 11.

• However, in March, the project team returned to say the thoroughfare would instead be closed from March 27 to late September.

• According to a public notice, the Big Build Rail team would “be in touch with impacted traders directly and work to mitigate this impact”.

• According to a Level Crossing Removal Project spokesperson, the extended closure of Lupton Way was necessary to “minimise further disruptions for locals…allowing crews to safely relocate underground services and drainage and begin works on the new plaza”.

• 🗣️ “We are working closely with local business owners to provide project updates and support during disruptions, including tailored marketing, vouchers and support with deliveries,” said the spokesperson.

☕️ Drips and drabs: Parkale said the morning traffic of commuters on the way to their train had “reduced drastically” since works began on March 27.

• A mother of three, Parkale opened the business last January, leaving her full-time job and investing her family’s savings.

• 🗣️ “There’s lots of stress and sleepless nights,” said Parkale. “I put my heart and soul into this business.”

❤️ Happy patrons: Regular customer Theresa Dolphin said it would be a shame to lose the cafe.

• 🗣️ “It's as good as if her business was built into the station,” Dolphin said.

⏭️ What’s next? Parkale said the Big Build Rail team had offered no compensation, with support including pre-purchasing coffees for workers and spending $250 for free coffees.

• 🗣️ “That doesn’t help me pay any bills,” said Parkale. “I have to somehow stay afloat for the next six to eight months.”