The Victorian Government has committed to upgrading Ballarat Station to improve accessibility, safety and connectivity for all public transport users, while considering the heritage of the station buildings.

We’re building an accessible pedestrian overpass, with a passenger lift and stairs on each platform. We’re also improving access to the existing northern station entrance with a new ramp, stairs and automatic sliding doors.

We’ll also upgrade some of the platform lighting and tactiles, the raised ground markers that help people who are blind or have low vision navigate through the station.

These improvements will make it easier and safer for all commuters to cross between the platforms and use the northern station entrance, closest to the bus interchange and multi-deck car park.

People with disability, and those carrying luggage or pushing a pram will no longer need to leave the station to cross the rail line via Lydiard Street.

Construction is scheduled to be complete in 2026.

The Department of Transport and Planning carried out early design assessments to determine the best outcome for the accessibility upgrade. Further technical investigations and design work have also been undertaken.

This factsheet outlines the preferred design for the pedestrian overpass, the designs that were ruled out, and the site constraints considered to assess design options

Selecting the best design for the new pedestrian overpass

Heritage

The heritage-listed Ballarat Station was built in 1864 and the train hall is one of three remaining 19th century great train halls in Australia.

The station precinct is included in the Victorian Heritage Register, and the LXRP project team will work closely with Heritage Victoria through the life of the project.

Best practice principles and procedures to be followed in the conservation of heritage places, known as the Burra Charter, state that “new works should be identifiable as such, but must respect and have minimal impact on the cultural significance of the place.”

The Ballarat Station Upgrade works are subject to approval by Heritage Victoria.

Heritage Victoria is responsible for ensuring that change at a heritage place of state significance is managed appropriately so that its cultural heritage significance is protected for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

In considering a permit application Heritage Victoria will also consider the practical needs of the station, in line with Heritage Victoria guidelines.

Site constraints

The space available for the new pedestrian overpass, lifts and stairs, especially inside a busy, operating station, is very limited.

Our designs must minimise impacts on the existing heritage-listed buildings and minimise disruptions to commuters, while complementing recent upgrades, such as the new bus interchange and car park.

Future proofing

An average of 1750 people board a train at Ballarat Station each day, and this number is expected to grow considerably in the coming years. Our designs allow for future developments as station usage grows.

The pedestrian overpass concept design

Pedestrian overpass with a lift and stairs on each platform, located just outside the train hall, to the east.

Benefits of this design:

• improved connectivity between the station platforms, and other destinations in the station precinct
• limited impacts to existing heritage-listed station structures
• minimal disruption to commuters and nearby businesses during construction due to off-site construction of the overpass and lifts
• no reduction in usable space on the station platforms
• easier station navigation for people who are blind or have low vision
• complements recent investment and upgrades to the Ballarat Station precinct
• complements the existing architecture and heritage value of the station
• avoids major service relocation and disruption to utilities, signalling and telecommunications equipment

Designs that are not feasible

Pedestrian overpass, located inside the train hall.

This design would:

• not allow enough clearance for trains to go under, unless the heritage-listed train hall roof was remodelled
• take up too much usable space on the platforms
• cause significant impacts to commuters and station operations during construction
• require significant relocation works on existing essential services, signalling and telecommunications equipment.

Pedestrian overpass, located beyond the eastern end of the platforms where it would not impact any existing structures.

This design would:

• reduce accessibility outcomes
• reduce safety, convenience and connectivity for commuters
• place the overpass too far from the northern station entrance, bus interchange and car park.

Pedestrian overpass with a ramp for each platform.

This design would:

• take up considerable space due to the ramp lengths required to achieve a compliant incline gradient, also causing significant visual impact on the heritage precinct
• not fit into the available footprint, especially on the south side of the station precinct
• require considerable modification to the heritage-listed building, the tracks, and the stabling shed
• require significant reconfiguration of the recently completed bus interchange on the north side of the station precinct.

Pedestrian underpass running underneath the tracks.

This design would:

• significantly impact the heritage-listed station buildings due to the depth required to meet accessibility and safety standards
• result in a significant loss of space and circulation areas in high volume locations to make way for a well-lit, safe underpass with good visibility
• cause major rail disruption to commuters, the train and bus network and local businesses, as it would require a long closure of Ballarat Station
• impact the structural condition of the 160 year old building
• significantly impact critical underground services, utilities, signalling and telecommunications equipment.

What we considered

Each transport infrastructure project has specific characteristics and constraints that help inform designs.

Some of the key considerations in the Ballarat Station Upgrade planning and early design process are:

• the most suitable outcomes for people with disability or mobility requirements, prams and luggage, aligning with current accessibility legislation
• Ballarat Station’s heritage value, as guided by Heritage Victoria’s requirements
• technical considerations of how a solution could be built
• minimising train and bus network disruptions to commuters
• construction impacts on station precinct users and businesses
• community safety considerations
• limited space in the precinct
• existing building structural condition
• existing ground conditions
• compatibility with recent upgrades in the station precinct
• future proofing the design
• impacts to utilities, rail signalling and telecommunications services.

Project timeline

2023

• Site investigations and planning works

Mid 2024

• Concept designs released
• Community engagement

Late 2024

• Final designs released
• Further community engagement

2025

• Major construction

2026

• Pedestrian overpass opens
• Major construction complete

* Timeline subject to change

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