Ballarat Station Upgrade FAQ

14 June 2024

Below are a series of commonly asked questions about the Ballarat Station Upgrade project.

Community engagement is open on Engage Victoria until Sunday 7 June 2024.

These improvements will make it easier and safer for all commuters to cross between the platforms and use the northern station entrance, closest to other destinations in the station precinct.

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.

Some of the key considerations in the 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

During the development phase of the project, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) considered potential options for the accessible rail crossing.

Further technical investigations and design work have been undertaken, considering site constraints, accessibility requirements, the heritage value and existing architecture of the Ballarat Station precinct, to develop the best solution for the station.

Benefits of this design are:

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

Accessibility will be improved at Ballarat Station when we complete the construction of the new pedestrian overpass, which will be located as close as possible to station entrance points, while minimising impacts on the heritage train hall and precinct.

The overpass width will allow for two mobility aids or prams to pass each other comfortably. Users will be further supported by the weather protective nature of the overpass roof and sidings, as well as the handrails that will be in place.

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

The existing northern entry will also be upgraded with a ramp, handrails, stairs, and an automatic door.

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

Yes, the project considers future needs. 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.

No, the existing overpass will remain in place and available for use.

Yes, there are. Best practice design principles for new structures in a heritage environment follow the Principles for considering change to places in the Victorian Heritage Register (PDF), which states that design should “reference the heritage elements of the place without replication or mimicry.”

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

Before undertaking this work, the LXRP project team must apply for a Victorian Heritage Register permit, which is subject to approval by Heritage Victoria. The permit application must demonstrate that the concept designs meet the objectives of the Register process.

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.

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.

Yes. As part of the statutory heritage permit process under the Heritage Act 2017, the permit application will be advertised, and anyone can make a submission explaining their views about the proposal. Advertising will take the form of posters on site, a public notice in ‘The Courier’ and the application documents will be available on the Heritage Victoria website.

The submissions period will be 14 days. Any submissions lodged will be considered by Heritage Victoria when assessing the application and making a decision.

Yes. During the development phase of the project, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and LXRP considered potential options for the accessible rail crossing, including an underpass.

An underpass is not feasible because it 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.

Yes, installing ramps was considered. Ramps are not feasible at Ballarat Station because they 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.

While the inclusion of a second lift on each side of the overpass was considered, it is not in scope at this time. However, our design allows for this addition in future.

The lift systems will have three back-up systems in place to manage power supply issues. The first is an alternate power supply that will be triggered by an interruption to power supply, the second is back-up generators and the third is batteries.

In the unlikely case of mechanical fault, the lifts’ default setting is to return to ground level (speed is managed safely) and mechanics would be called to attend to the site.

It is anticipated that scheduled maintenance will be done at times that minimise impact to commuters.

All commuters will be able to use the Lydiard Street level crossing to cross between the platforms if one or both lifts are not working.

In an emergency situation, emergency services will be called.

The existing northern station entrance will be upgraded to meet accessibility standards.

Through assessing commuter movement around the precinct, this entrance was found to be the most central point and therefore the most suitable for the upgraded entry, based on the locations of the bus stops, pick up/drop off spaces, and multi level car park.

Additional station entry/exit points are not in scope for this project. However, our design does not prevent a second entrance being added in the future on the northern side of the station at the location of the new overpass.

The design solution minimises disruption to commuters and nearby businesses during construction due to off-site construction of the overpass and lifts.

More information on what to expect during construction will be available at the end of 2024.

Station users will be informed of upcoming works via email and SMS updates to subscribers and works notices published at Ballarat Station Upgrade - Victoria’s Big Build and displayed at the station.

More information will be available at the end of 2024. Station users will be informed of any parking changes ahead of time.

The design solution minimizes disruption to commuters and nearby businesses during construction due to off-site construction of the overpass and lifts.

The project team will work closely with the businesses to understand their requirements and minimise impacts wherever possible.

Considering the project budget, technical constraints, strict requirements of working in a rail environment, and construction costs, this concept design provides the best accessibility outcome, while balancing the need to conserve the valued heritage character of the station buildings.

The $50 million Ballarat Station Upgrade will build on the Victorian Government’s recent investment in transport improvements for the station and the region, including:

$600m Ballarat Line Upgrade
$28.3m Ballarat Station Precinct Redevelopment
$22.4m Ballarat Station Bus Interchange

The Ballarat Line Upgrade was completed in early 2021, delivering 135 extra weekly services across the project for Ballarat and growing communities along the line. Trains now run every 20 minutes during peak periods and every 40 minutes during off-peak periods, on average. The project also delivered new and upgraded stations and better reliability.

This follows some recent accessibility improvements in the station precinct including:

lowering of the tracks to reduce the level difference between the platform and trains on Platform 2
installation of an automatic door at the cafe entrance on Platform 1
installation of a push button door to the existing accessible toilet
accessible parking upgrades.