Benalla Rural City Council is calling on ARTC and Inland Rail to address community concerns regarding accessibility, connectivity and amenity at the redeveloped Benalla Railway Station. Council is seeking greater transparency around the design decisions that have shaped the final station precinct and the outcomes being delivered for passengers and the broader community on both sides of the rail corridor.
Mayor Cr Bernie Hearn said Council was seeking assurances that the station precinct provides safe, equitable and user-friendly access for all members of the community.
“Access to public transport should be practical, dignified and inclusive. Our community wants confidence that the station precinct has been designed to meet the needs of all users, including older residents, people living with disability and those with limited mobility.”
Council is seeking information from ARTC and Inland Rail regarding accessibility outcomes throughout the precinct, including compliance with contemporary accessibility standards, any independent accessibility and human rights assessments undertaken, and the measures incorporated to support passengers with mobility challenges.
Council is also concerned that both the northern and southern side of the station has not realised its full potential as a major gateway to Benalla. Issues include poor amenity, limited walking and cycling connections, the condition of access roads following construction activities, the lack of integrated kerb and channel infrastructure connected to a comprehensive stormwater drainage solution, and the absence of plans to transition temporary parking and access arrangements into a permanent, well-designed precinct with appropriate landscaping and public realm improvements.
“This is about more than accessibility. It is about ensuring a major infrastructure project delivers lasting benefits for the community,” Cr Hearn said.
“All access points to the station should be welcoming gateways to Benalla, supported by quality roads, landscaping, drainage, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and public spaces that enhance safety and connectivity.”
“We believe there remains an opportunity for ARTC and Inland Rail to work with Council and the community to improve the final outcome and create a station precinct that reflects Benalla’s role as a growing regional centre.”
Council welcomes the advocacy of Dr Helen Haines MP and hopes discussions between key stakeholders will help address the outstanding concerns and achieve better outcomes for Benalla residents.
Benalla Rural City Council is calling for improved accessibility outcomes, enhanced precinct amenity, better walking and cycling connections, upgrades to roads impacted by construction activities, delivery of integrated drainage infrastructure, improved landscaping and public realm treatments, and greater transparency around the assessments and decisions that informed the final station design.