We’ve been talking to the local community about the new stations to be delivered at Goornong, Huntly and Raywood as part of the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade.

We asked the community to provide feedback on the new stations to be delivered at Goornong and Huntly on the Echuca Line and Raywood on the Swan Hill Line. The community provided feedback on the new station concept designs, all of which include:

• a new single-sided platform
• lighting, seating and shelter
• signage, CCTV and public address (PA) systems
• car parking with lighting and CCTV.

The Victorian Government is investing $49.6 million to deliver Bendigo Metro 3, which includes new stations at Goornong, Raywood and Huntly.

The new stations will give people in these growing communities access to the train network close to where they live.

The Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade is being delivered as part of the $4 billion Regional Rail Revival program, which is upgrading every regional passenger rail line in Victoria and creating more than 3,000 jobs and supplier opportunities.

How we engaged

• 757 subscribers received e-newsletter updates
• 2,602 visits to the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade online engagement page on the Engage Victoria platform
• 1,170 visits to the Regional Rail Revival website during the engagement period
• 4,155 people reached via Facebook posts
• 300 postcards sent to businesses and residents in Goornong, Huntly and Raywood
• 64 surveys completed.

Your feedback

Safety and accessibility

What we heard

Safety is a key priority for the community. Passengers want well lit stations, CCTV and safe pedestrian walkways.

Our response

Safety is our first priority. The new stations at Goornong, Huntly and Raywood will be fitted with lighting, signage and CCTV for passenger safety.

We’re also ensuring Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) compliant pedestrian walkways from all stations to the car parks, as well as stairs and ramps to the platforms to make them accessible to all.

We will work closely with our construction contractor and other key stakeholders to ensure the safety of workers and the community during the upgrade to minimise the impacts of construction and keep the community informed through regular updates.

Connectivity

What we heard

The project is seen by most as an opportunity to ensure accessibility between the new stations and surrounding townships, mainly through coordinating bus and rail services. It is important to the community that the station locations are integrated with local transport networks.

Our response

The new stations will improve connectivity with local public transport networks and will be designed to accommodate future increases in population. The existing bus stops at Goornong will be relocated closer to the station and a new replacement bus stop will be installed near the station at Raywood.

The location of the Huntly site is in close proximity to the future residential development at Wakeman Road, which is expected to be one of the main population growth areas in the City of Greater Bendigo.

The new station will continue to service the local community in the current Huntly township. We will build a bus stop, idling bay and turnaround space within the station precinct to support future transport connections as Huntly continues to grow.

We are also working with the City of Greater Bendigo and the private developer to ensure the station is connected to the existing and new road network.

Future timetable changes to deliver new services will also consider ways to improve transport connections in the region.

Car parking

What we heard

The community said that parking is critical in ensuring the new stations are well used, given the distance many people in regional communities will need to travel to get to a station. Accessible parking and short-term parking should also be a priority.

Our response

Parking at each of the stations is a key aspect of the project, with sealed car parking spaces, including accessible spaces, and short-term spaces at all stations for drop-off zones. The design of Huntly Station also allows for the expansion of car parking to cater for future growth as the local population increases. The car parks will include lighting, signage and CCTV to improve safety and will be connected to the station using accessible footpaths.

Station amenities

What we heard

Modern and comfortable station amenities are a priority for the community. Suggestions included the need for shelter, lighting, seating, rubbish bins, cycling infrastructure, bathroom facilities and myki machines.

The community would also like to be involved in the design to ensure the new stations fit in with the look and feel of the local community. Suggestions included involvement in local landscaping initiatives and public artwork and murals, such as for the nearby silos at Raywood. There were also suggestions for noticeboards and other means to promote landmarks and local and indigenous histories.

Our response

We will deliver canopy shelters, seating, lighting, bicycle hoops and rubbish bins on the new platforms at Goornong, Huntly and Raywood. Bathroom facilities, passenger information displays and ticketing kiosks are not included in this stage of the project, however we will future-proof all three stations for potential myki touch points. Passengers will be able to purchase paper tickets from V/Line conductors as the current practice on the Swan Hill and Echuca Lines north of Epsom and Eaglehawk.

We will work with our delivery partners to involve the community in developing local initiatives such as public artwork and landscaping.

Community engagement

What we heard

People highlighted the importance of community feedback and knowing how it has been taken into consideration through the different stages of the project. The community wants to be involved and receive regular updates.

Our response

We’re committed to ongoing engagement with the community and using local knowledge to inform our project. Feedback has and will continue to play an important role in the planning and development of the upgrade as the project progresses.

Sustainability

What we heard

People expressed interest in the sustainability of the new stations at Goornong, Huntly and Raywood.

Our response

We are committed to delivering sustainable outcomes through the design and construction of the three new stations, including the use of recycled materials, limiting the use of energy intensive materials and managing impacts to the surrounding environment.

Examples of sustainable materials include the use of recycled aggregate in concrete, reclaimed asphalt pavement for roads and footpaths, and the use of glass sand as a bedding material.

Stormwater runoff from new or reinstated ground surfaces and runoff areas at the new stations will be managed to achieve the water quality performance objectives set out in the CSIRO Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines for Urban Stormwater.

The stations will also be designed to minimise light spill to further minimise impacts on the surrounding environment.

Any feedback not directly related will continue to be assessed by the Department of Transport.

Progress on the new stations at Goornong, Huntly and Raywood

Following the $49.6 million Victorian Government investment in Bendigo Metro 3, the new stations at Goornong, Huntly and Raywood are being delivered as part of the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade.

Coordinating the two projects means we can deliver efficiencies and minimise disruption to the local community.

Planning and design work is progressing for the three new stations, with site investigations taking place in recent months.

The new Huntly Station has been fast-tracked by nearly a year and is targeted for completion in mid-2022. The new stations at Goornong and Raywood are on track for completion in late 2021 and late 2022 respectively.

What we heard

Coronavirus restrictions are changing the way we engage with the community. The health and safety of our workforce and community remains our top priority. While we were unable to engage face-to-face with the community, information about the new stations was available via our online engagement hub engage.vic.gov.au/bigbuild and e-newsletter.

We received 64 detailed responses to our survey. Below is a summary of what we heard.

Station concept designs

The community welcomed the new stations at Goornong, Huntly and Raywood, which will provide locals in these growing communities access to more public transport options close to where they live.

Safety is important, with CCTV coverage for car parks, walkways and platforms welcomed by all. We heard multiple requests for ample lighting, especially for evening and night-time passengers.

Accessibility, shelter and seating are priorities for the community, particularly for seniors and people with a disability.

Providing connectivity between the new stations and surrounding townships is important, mainly through coordinating bus and rail services.

Sealed car parking at the new stations is also supported.

Thank you

We’d like to thank everyone who provided their feedback on the new stations. Your feedback will be considered in the planning and design and we look forward to keeping you informed as the project progresses.

What’s next

• Community consultation underway
• Site investigations
• Construction of Goornong Station underway*
• New station at Goornong complete
• Construction of Huntly Station underway*
• New Huntly Station complete
• Construction of Raywood Station underway*
• New station at Raywood complete.

*subject to planning and environmental approvals.

It should be noted that this information is current at the time of publishing, however due to unforeseen circumstances, changes may occur.