Consultation with local communities about re-opening the Maryborough to Ararat railway line has begun.
The line has been disused for more than a decade, but will reopen as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s massive upgrade of the freight network in north western Victoria.
More than 100 level crossings on the line have been individually assessed for safety, traffic volume and availability of alternate routes nearby.
These factors will be considered along with feedback from residents and other stakeholders, to determine which crossings will be closed or upgraded to keep motorists and local communities safe when trains return.
Land owners on the Maryborough to Ararat line will receive letters this week detailing the outcome of the assessments of crossings on their property, and inviting them to meet with the project team.
Consultation with communities along the railway line will commence in November, after the completion of the local government election caretaker period.
The Maryborough to Ararat rail line is being reopened as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project, which will boost the safety, capacity and reliability of freight services in Northern Victoria and better connect primary producers to the state’s major ports.
The project will standardise the entire Murray Basin freight network and increase the loads it can carry, allowing larger trains to move more product with each trip.
A local project office will be established at Maryborough Station from next week, with a member of the project team available every Tuesday and Thursday to discuss the project and answer any questions locals may have.
For more information and to keep up-to-date with consultation and progress on the project visit .
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“This is an important step in this critical project, which will allow primary producers to get more produce to port, more efficiently – boosting jobs and the regional economy.”
“Reopening the line will be a big change for people between Maryborough and Ararat, and we will be working closely with them to close or upgrade level crossings, and keep these communities safe when trains return.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020