Suzie Pearce - Some Station History

Suzie Pearce – “Can the community save the Signal Box?”
 
Thank you for coming….and thanks to Kylie and Mick for allowing us to meet here at this fabulous old pub opposite the railway precinct.
It is ironic that this Heritage Festival is about honouring our past in all its forms…yet here we are to discuss whether the community can save our heritage Signal Box A.
At issue is that this heritage listed structure (under the Benalla Rural City Council’s Heritage overlay) is under threat of demolition by the Australian Rail Track Corporation….the community wants to save it…. and Benalla Rural City Council has no objection to its demolition contrary to its own heritage overlay, they don’t want to take responsibility for it.
Saving the Signal Box is not a heritage matter in isolation, the threat to demolish it is part of a bigger matter which I will explain by putting it in context….be ready for a history lesson.
But first….Did you notice as you arrived, that the Farmers Arms is opposite our large/almost denuded railway precinct which has looked unloved and unkempt for decades. Also that you cannot see our heritage Station, because it is hidden behind a very long/very high stack of railway sleepers/put there for the convenience of ARTC railway workers with no plan to use them any time soon….similarly passengers cannot see the Farmers Arms. This disregard for our heritage by those primarily concerned with freight movements is what we are fighting.
The Benalla rail precinct is one of the oldest in Victoria. The first train arrived in 1873, our Gothic style/Victorian era station was commenced in 1874 and added to in 1888. The NE Line was the 3rd in Victoria and first to cross the Murray….unlike the Bendigo and Ballarat Lines it was not linked to gold but built to enable development of the north east. It has links to Ned Kelly and post-World War migrant settlement, and diversification of our population. Benalla grew as rail opportunities grew.
Benalla became a rail hub with around 17 on-site tracks linking Yarrawonga, Tatong and elsewhere. It had a turn table or ‘round house’ to redirect trains, a foundry, engine shed, water tower, sidings, works depot, goods shed…houses for workers, overhead walking bridge linking north and south Benalla, a social club hall…and two Signal Boxes…Signal Box B only controlled on site movements and is no more…..gone with nearly everything else. All that is left is part of our Station building…the result of a dodgy condition report and need to correct a poorly designed precinct that overlooked making adequate provision for cars and coaches (keep that in mind, both come up later)….a neglected goods-shed and Signal Box A.
 
Better Benalla Rail came into being in 2019 but the community had been actively trying to save the Signal Box for decades before that. A group of locals constantly patched and repaired it, saving it from vandals. It is an asset of the Victorian Government/on railway land managed by VicTrack, who took no proactive interest in its physical condition.
It managed movements of passenger and freight trains, pedestrians and vehicles until 1999….after that signalling was controlled from Junee as part of the track lease arrangement between ARTC and VicTrack. The last signal man who turned out the lights and locked the door still works at Benalla Station. All its internal levers and infrastructure are intact.
In 2015, a forerunner to Better Benalla Rail (community group Benalla Railway Project Inc.) was in discussion with VicTrack and Benalla Council to establish a plan to revitalise the north side of the station precinct, from Nunn Street to Gillies Street. We had discovered that VicTrack then deemed this land ‘surplus to requirements’.
Do you remember our Plan A …to establish a large all edible garden to address social needs, but the heavily redacted environmental report we obtained through Freedom of Information frightened Council… Plan B was to achieve a well-designed and landscaped area. Tony McIlroy, then CEO of Benalla Rural City Council, obtained permission to relocate the Signal Box onto the north side after seeing and photographing a renovated and repurposed Signal Box.
This was all put on hold late in 2018 when a short term lease was issued over part of the land for products associated with the Victorian Government’s new Westgate Tunnel project. Then, at the beginning of 2019, the Federal Government announced that the Australian Rail Track Corporation would construct the Inland Rail Project…double-stacked freight trains using ‘our’ NE Line to transit Benalla would need a new ‘huge’ overpass.  Community focus shifted from the north to southside.
The community was poorly consulted. ARTC jointly promoted the IRP with the long overdue Upgrade of the NE Line which made the positive/negative nature of proposed works misleading. However, as Benalla had been a railway town, it was well connected and a few residents were ‘prompted’ to understand the visual and other implications of proposed works. From experience, they recognised a higher overpass bridge increased the threat of another major flood inundation.
That small group drew an alternative plan enabling IRP trains to transit Benalla without the need for any overpass.  They were the ones who alerted Council… and wider community ….of the threat and implications and that there was another/better way.
Better Benalla Rail emerged from those community members…a diverse group with a common bond to improve, not further destroy, our rail precinct. From the outset Benalla Council refused to work with BBR and still won’t.
The wider community added more and more fuel to help ‘Save our station’. Some, including two barristers and a lawyer said we would never win against bureaucracy but BBR and the community were determined. BBR established a Strategic Plan of action to achieve the community alternative.
 
The IRP and associated matters are political: All through covid BBR wrote and/or held zoom meetings with all local and relevant politicians asking for help and presenting their alternative plan. This included Helen Haines, Senator Bridget Mackenzie, Senator Jane Hume, Sussan Ley (then) Minister for the Environment, Steph Ryan, Jacinta Allan (then) Victorian Minister for Transport and Jaclyn Symes. Jacinta Allan and Jaclyn Symes said they couldn’t help because the IRP was a Federal Project!
The (then) new independent member for Indi Helen Haines arranged for the Deputy Prime Minister to visit Benalla in April 2021, Sen Bridget McKenzie also attended.
Then she arranged for BBR to make a presentation at the Senate Review of the delivery of the Inland Rail Project chaired by Senator Walsh. He summarised our presentation and said it was the ‘most logical plan for Benalla’…further that we should ‘go home very happy with the outcome of the day’.
It took another six months for ARTC to publicly announce they would not build the new overpass.
The point is, this outcome proved that the community can succeed especially when offering a logical and achievable alternative...and having a politician willing to champion the community.
The politics increased.  The Victorian Government then required a new second platform ‘to future proof’ the precinct. They were then definitely involved. The station precinct had to be redesigned giving access to this new platform.
In addition, ARTC applied for/and were granted a Planning Scheme Amendment by the Victorian Government/they effectively gained responsibility for all matters on and around the railway precinct relating to Council’s Planning Scheme including their ‘Heritage Overlay’…. Council was officially sidelined.
Now, the eventual plans to be implemented will be signed off by the Victorian Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny.        BBR changed its strategy again.
 
You must remember the 3 sets of concept plans and being asked to comment. Each time BBR encouraged the community to comment and again wrote to all appropriate politicians including Jaclyn Symes who is born and bred in Benalla. We had to occupy her office to get a meeting with her…she listened/offered to help but we never heard from her again.
BBR changed their slogan to ‘Let’s get it right’…no mistakes, no omission that later have to be changed. They identified that the first plans didn’t link the north and south side of the precinct (everyone would have to walk to town via the Nunn St crossing) and argued for this correction.  Again the community was successful.
By the third set the BBR slogan was ‘Still not right’. More media, more letters, more briefings…Annabelle Cleeland was the new Member for Euroa. These plans showed that ARTC was no longer listening to the community…they had not incorporated any community input …there was still no drop-off area/ taxi rank near the ticket office/both were located on Mackellar Street, an uphill, non-user friendly walk for elderly and disabled passengers no matter the time of day or night. Coach provision accommodated two coaches, the minimum state Government requirement, regardless that station staff and others identified the need for four or more tody, net alone in future…..potentially repeating exactly the same design mistake mentioned earlier!   
 
At no time did any of these concept plans suggest the Signal Box was under threat…in fact two written statements by ARTC confirmed its long term safety.
BBR first heard of this threat when briefed by ARTC about the 3rd and final set of plans in August last year…yet ARTC did not provide documentation supporting the demolition until after submissions commenting on the plans closed. Their subsequent consultant engineer’s report asserted the Signal Box a danger to the community due its unsound condition….later it was revealed it might be in the way of track realignment.
BBR advised social, print and radio media of the ARTC plan of demolition. The response was immediate, indignant and large…..9000 face book responses in a week.
When ARTC replied to BBR’s submission in October, again without agreeing any meaningful changes or to relocate the Signal Box, it asserted their plan was influenced by the Benalla Working Group… comprising 11 people appointed by ARTC and Council….I was one of them! We met about six times in 2021 and were asked to give personal opinions….the resulting six point Urban Design Framework clearly stated achieving a ‘heritage precinct that increases the prominence of the existing heritage buildings and celebrates the heritage character of central Benalla’!   
 
The politics changed again/and our strategic plan…a new Federal Labour Government, new Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Catherine King, new ARTC Chair Wayne Johnson.
More letter writing to Wayne Johnson, Sonya Kilkenny Victorian Minister for Planning, Helen Haines and Catherine King regarding concerns that community input was disregarded and seeking intervention to save the Signal Box.
Sonya Kilkenny wrote back referring us to someone who referred us to someone else whom BBR met via zoom. He visited Benalla and told us Council support would be persuasive… and that our arguments were not backed by provable community support….yet 11 were quoted as influencing the precinct design and Council has never consulted with the community over any of these matters. He said he would review the plans but we have not heard from him since.
A community member indignant about the threat of demolition contacted the National Trust, Victoria who wrote ARTC a clear message against demolition.
BBR applied for an Interim Protection Order to stop demolition, intended to be actioned in March.
In response Heritage Victoria wrote a lengthy report overviewing rail development and demise in Benalla but did not recommend the Signal Box be included on the state register, it is not sufficiently unique. Their condition report did not support or agree Stirling engineer’s claim. The community could comment on the report within 60 days/until today….this bought us more time.
BBR has now sent their submission asking that HV save the Signal Box by recommending ARTC not demolish the Signal Box but relocate it to the north side of the station.
This is supported by two very persuasive letters written by the National Trust. The second after reading Heritage Victoria’s report. They outline the inconsistencies of ARTC reports and actions by Council. Also included is copy of Seymour Railway Heritage Centre’s proposal to run heritage trains through Benalla using the Oaklands Line. This offers tourism and economic opportunities for Benalla, but only if the new platform ‘to future proof’ Benalla is altered so passengers can get off, and the Signal Box is relocated to complement and enhance these heritage experiences.
The likelihood of succeeding is down to the wire. For the community to save the Signal Box, an influential Victorian politician is needed but we have not found that person implying that the Victorian Minister for Planning will rubber stamp the ultimate plans presented by ARTC. The Department of Transport and Planning’s goal to ‘future proof’ Benalla is questionable when elements for improvement are already identified and to date ignored. Heritage Victoria is part of that department, their independence will be reflected by their helping to save the Signal Box or allowing its demolition….how can they condone ARTC moving a modern bike shed and not a heritage listed Signal Box!
Helen Haines will present a document, prepared by Better Benalla Rail, to the Federal Minister Catherine King when Parliament next sits. It seeks her help to achieve the ‘right’ design outcome for Benalla and ‘save the Signal Box’. She is the responsible Minister for the Inland Rail Project so all praise for the ‘right’ outcomes rest and fall with her.
So now the question is not ‘can we save the Signal Box’ but have we?
 
 

NATIONAL TRUST - BENALLA SIGNAL BOX DOWNLOAD

BENALLA STATION - OUR SUBMISSION

Response to ARTC Benalla Railway Station concept plans of July 31st, 2023
 
Since 2019 Better Benalla Rail Inc. (BBR) has encouraged and enabled the Benalla community to provide feedback to the ARTC each time design proposals for the railway station precinct have been released.
BBR acknowledges that the latest concept plans of July 31st 2023 have responded favourably to some of the previous community feedback.
Concerningly there remains some critical issues previously identified through community feedback and reported back to ARTC in the BBR report of June 2022 that are still not addressed.
The Benalla community response to the ARTC has consistently been the same – people want the station designs to provide safe and suitable access for users of all abilities, together with the enhancement of the historic architectural nature of the station building and precinct.  
(see BBR report to ARTC of June 2022 https://www.betterbenallarail.com/latestnews )
The latest ARTC concept plans do not yet deliver on either of these community aspirations.
BBR recognises that the project scope changed after ARTC agreed to relocate a section of track, remove some existing infrastructure and redesign the area and the Victorian Department of Transport required a new platform to ‘future proof’ the station.
Yet the Benalla community considers this a once in a century opportunity to redress the longstanding problems that have beset the railway station for over 60 years and are determined to ‘get it right’.
The latest concept plans and accompanying animation look appealing at first glance and many peoples’ initial response is overall positivity. But the plans and moving images do not give clear information to those inexperienced at looking at concept drawings.
It is only on closer and more informed inspection that glaring safety and access problems become apparent. The station building is misrepresented, parking is shown as 32 not 50 spaces, it is not clear the direction that cars will move through the precinct and the one-dimensional images do not reveal the slope to be navigated between Mackellar Street and the station building.
During August 2023, BBR has been active in community outreach, informing local residents and commuters and inviting them to communicate their views to the ARTC. 
 
 
Community Engagement:
Since the briefing meeting with the ARTC of August 1st 2023, Better Benalla Rail has activated and collected community feedback via:
·      Posting the latest concept plans on the BBR Facebook page and advising community members to give feedback directly to the ARTC or to BBR.
·      Issuing media releases that resulted in coverage by Benalla Ensign, Win TV, The Border Mail and Shepparton News.
·      Displaying information posters in local shop windows.
·      Providing a feedback handout to people who attended the ARTC shop and information sites to view the plans and give feedback.
·      Organizing a Save Our Station rally at the Benalla Railway Station 150th year anniversary heritage event on August 18th.
·      Discussions with representatives of bus lines that service the station, Taxi drivers and passengers, Emergency Services personnel, Railway Station staff, and representatives of the disabled community.
Letters outlining the unaddressed access, safety and function problems as well as the failure to demonstrate any regard for the heritage value of the station have been sent to Hon. Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Dr Helen Haines, Member for Indi; Annabelle Cleeland, Member for Euroa; Jaclyn Symes MLC and Benalla Rural City Councillors.
BBR has also conducted briefing meetings with Annabelle Cleeland, Member for Euroa and Dr Helen Haines, Member for Indi.
Since the release by the ARTC of the latest concept plans of July 31st, Better Rail for Benalla Facebook posts have attracted over 10,000 views and hundreds of comments.
BBR has received comments via public conversations, print media, social media, email networks, Facebook, community networks and comments from hundreds of residents.  
 
‘STILL NOT RIGHT’ – Issues Identified by the Community
Safety and Access  
·      Passenger Access
The current proposal makes access more difficult than at present by preventing drop off and pick up at the station entrance.
A minimum 56-metre walk from the disabled car park up a four-degree incline, without shelter, becomes the only option for disabled travellers and only if you can get one of two disabled parking spots.
There is no taxi or car drop off zone close to the station entrance requiring older people with walking frames, parents with prams and people with luggage to make their way to the station entrance some 75 metres up a four-degree incline from the car park, possibly in the rain.
If wishing to get to the new platform 2, commuters will be required to walk 260 metres from the bus stop, 277 metres from the carpark (or 215 metres via the lift route).
The walk from the Mackellar Street town bus shelter would require an 85metre walk.
There is no weather covering from the station to the lift for passengers or ambulance services.
Having the only car/taxi pickup and drop off zone located in Mackellar Street rather than within the station precinct will clog up the traffic flow in Mackellar Street.
 
·      Emergency Services Access
There is no specified location for emergency services vehicles to have close access to the station.
Access to the new second platform is unspecified. Access from the north side is not provided.
Victoria Police have emphasised the need to have close access to attend/remove people from trains.
 
·      Coach Access
The proposed coach stopping zone is for only two coaches at one time.
Commuters will need to alight the coach and walk with luggage 85 meters to the station entrance, with no shelter. 
The station has 24 passenger services per day of which 10 are passenger trains. Coaches arrive daily from and to Adelaide, Albury, Shepparton, Seymour, Bendigo, Yarrawonga, and Euroa and the provision of two bus stop bays is grossly inadequate.
The concept plans have the Benalla town bus continuing to stop at the bus shelter in Mackellar Street requiring commuters to walk 85 metres to the station entrance with no cover.
 
·      Car Access
With no allocated drop off zone on the station precinct, cars are required to stop in Mackellar Street or in the station car park from which commuters will walk some distance up the four-degree incline to the station entrance.
With no differentiation of long term and short-term parking, commuters may need to walk, push wheelchairs or prams or carry luggage possibly 95 meters to the station entrance.
There is no car park provision on the north side of the station, which would reduce future carpark congestion on the station side.
 
·      Station goods and freight delivery
On the concept plans the current delivery access for station goods and freight unloading and storage is blocked and given over to a garden bed.  
 
·      Road Access
The proposed entrance to the station from Mackellar Street will interfere with street traffic as large coaches wait in the narrow street to turn right into the station precinct.
 
 
 
 
·      Platform Safety
Passenger safety concerns generated by the speed of freight trains passing unstaffed platforms needs to be addressed. Currently the station is staffed from 07.15-20.45 yet the interstate XPT morning and evening arrives and departs Benalla station after hours, plus two Vline coach services.
 
Heritage
·      The position and design of the lift towers is not complementary with the 19thC architectural style of the heritage station building.
·      The stainless-steel outdoor seats are not complementary to the heritage style and totally unsuitable on a 40-degree day.
·      The square grey concrete garden beds with native grasses are not befitting of the heritage precinct and are problematic given the numbers of snakes in the vicinity.
·      The concrete garden bed with native grasses across the front of the station building is a heritage desecration.  
·      The heritage Signal box and Engine turntable are unique remaining heritage elements of the station precinct and must be preserved.
·      The new passenger shelters on platform 2 need to be of complementary Victorian design.
·      The six heritage palm trees on site and the 1973 celebratory Silky Oak (grevillea robusta) need to be incorporated into the precinct plan together with the new flowering eucalypt (leucoxylon rosea) that celebrates the 150th anniversary.
 
 
Function
·      Fire hydrant, PA, drinking water, rubbish bins are required.
·      Relocation and update of the existing air conditioning system is required.
·      An internal update of the Station building is required.
·      Solar panels should be installed.
·      Responsibility for mowing of grass and grounds upkeep needs to be resolved. 
·      Maintenance and fire risk of the detention basis needs to be resolved.
·      A designated smokers area and an evacuation area for both platforms is required.
·      A plan for power outages to the lifts is required.
·      Responsibility for cleaning the lifts needs to be allocated.
·      A plan is required for staffing of Platform 2 and for passenger assistance to Platform 2. 
·      An area for the ‘standby’ coaches needs to be incorporated into the station precinct.
·      Adequate precinct lighting is required for passenger safety.
 
 
Community Suggestions:
Access and Safety
To enable adequate passenger drop off/pick up, road access into the station precinct could be a one-way (like Melbourne Airport and Wangaratta Station) with a 3-minute drop off zone for commuters in taxis and cars to alight and unload close to the entrance.
 
For example, travelling east along Mackellar Street from Nunn Street (Midland Highway), vehicles would turn left into the station near Carrier Street, travel to the drop off zone and then exit via the station carpark at the Smythe Street end. Vehicles needing to be parked will drive past the drop off zone and directly into the car parking area.
All coaches would enter from the east, driving down Nunn or Carrier Street into Mackellar Street thus enabling a left-hand (only) turn into the station.
 
Pedestrians entering from Carrier or Mackellar Streets could be catered for by a zebra crossing at the passenger drop off zone. (like Melbourne airport.)
 
One-way access to the front of the station building would enable emergency access to the station entrance for ambulance, police, and fire services.
 
A drop off area for at least 5 coaches needs to be located closer to the station entrance.
A car park on the north side would reduce traffic using the level crossing at Nunn and Mackellar Streets and give commuters closer access to Platform 2.
 
Signal Box
The historical importance of the sole Signal Box remaining from 1888 is a unique element of the station precinct and cannot be underestimated.
This must be recognised by saving, relocating, restoring and repurposing the Signal Box under the direction of heritage qualified architects.
BBR is currently awaiting the Engineers report commissioned by the ARTC.
Community support for retention of the Signal Box has been overwhelming and commitment to be involved in the restoration is strong.
 
Platform Safety
The Oaklands Line and shunting track on Nunn Street crossing will impact on the future safety of passengers on the new platform.
Victoria Police are quoted in ARTC Consultation Addendum Report (3-0000110-EAP-00-RP-0014 p36) saying these lines cause ‘immense delays and unsafe actions by frustrated community and emergency service’s vehicles’. These tracks activate all level crossings in Benalla preventing north/south access ‘creating significant risk in response times at critical incidents’. 
Any future user of these tracks as presently located would create the same problem.
 
BBR has repeatedly requested that the location of these tracks be altered for safety and best option site planning, rather than design new works around a known problem.
If these tracks stay as they are, freight trains will pass both sides of the new unmanned platform, both during the day and at night.
 
By having these tracks join the main line further north, both problems would be resolved. It would reduce the number of tracks crossing Nunn Street from three to two. 
Also, the new pedestrian underpass could be shortened and future parking/pickup beside the new platform planned for.
      
 
Heritage
The lift towers must be sympathetic in design and colour to the current heritage station building.
Seating and garden bed design needs to be befitting of 19thC architecture.
The forecourt needs a heritage style design (akin to the Albury Railway Station).
The heritage Signal box and Engine turntable could be incorporated into the precinct.
The passenger shelters on the new second platform need to reflect the Victorian style of the station building. 
The proposed garden bed across the front of the station building could be replaced by a suitably designed bullnose veranda providing cover to the station entrance.
 
Future proofing
 
·               Electric charging for scooters, coaches and cars.
·               Nunn Street crossing – upgrade both sides for pedestrians.
·               Light towers pivoted so a cherry picker is not required for globe replacement.
·               Lighting activated by security sensors.
 
 
 
examples of Community Comments:
Only 38 car parking spaces are provided for on the plan.  This is inadequate for a pop of 14,000+ users from surrounding municipalities.  It is less than what currently exists (48).   Many rail users come from Mansfield and Shepparton and park for a few days at Benalla, especially when using the Sydney bound XPT service.
Why is there no parking provided for on the northern side of the precinct?  There is ample space.
There are only 2 disabled parks which is inadequate.
Is the forecourt needed?  Why not make it disabled parking?
Are the disabled parks & bus bays on level ground?  Have you ever tried loading someone in or out of wheelchair on sloping ground?  Worse still have you ever been loaded onto a bus that has a wheelchair lift on the side, when the bus is on sloping ground as currently exists?  It is very off putting for the person being loaded to be on such an angle and is quite scary for some people.
There is a 2metre rise from Mackellar Street to the station entrance.  How is this catered for?   A cross section drawing is required showing where the elevation rise is and how it impacts on the functionality of the proposed new precinct.
Will the track at platform 1 be relevelled so that passenger trains can better align with the platform so that there is minimal step gap?
The taxi rank is inappropriately placed out on the edge of Mackellar Street.  Many aged and disabled people use the taxi service and will struggle to walk up the 2 metre rise, especially with luggage.  In reality, what will happen is that taxi drivers will not leave their customers stranded and will double park, closer to the station entrance which will cause traffic congestion.  The taxi rank needs to be located closer to the main station entrance.
 
Conclusion:  
The Benalla community is not objecting to the Inland Rail Project but does feel strongly about how it will impact on our heritage station and our passenger services.
The agreed removal of the XPT line and platform will provide an opportunity to recreate the open access to the station as it existed prior to the XPT line creation.
The ARTC has now released their third set of concept plans for the Benalla Station precinct and have briefed our community group, Better Benalla Rail.
Whilst it is appreciated that the ARTC has listened to the community in the past, BBR and the local community assert these latest plans are ‘still not right’.
The contemporary design does not honour or enhance the Benalla railway station one-hundred-and-fifty-year heritage of which the community is rightly proud and cherishes.  
As evidenced over the past four years, the Benalla community continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to achieving a station precinct design that creates a welcoming, safe, and worthy community asset.
The Victorian state government’s insistence on a second platform has enlarged and complicated the scope of the redevelopment works required at the station precinct.
The community will not accept a second-rate makeover of the historic Benalla railway station which merely suits the freight needs of the ARTC but leaves us with a poorly designed station for another 50 years.
It is understood that these latest Stage 2 concept plans for the Benalla railway precinct will now be finessed by the ARTC for tender and ultimate approval for construction by the Victorian Minister for Planning, Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP in accordance with the Planning Scheme Amendment 2022.
The Victorian state Government must now step up and meet their duty of care to all rail users.  Professional designers and architects, skilled in heritage conservation as well in designing for commuters need to be engaged to provide Benalla with the same level of design excellence that has been achieved at many metropolitan stations.
 
On behalf of the community, Better Benalla Rail will continue to engage with both federal and state governments to achieve an outcome for the Benalla Railway Station precinct that will provide
1)    entrance to and departure from the station precinct from Mackellar Street that incorporates a drop off/pick up area in front of the station building .
2)    new works that complement and enhance the historic Victorian nature of the station precinct.
3)    safe use and access to both station platforms day and night.

 

 

LET'S GET IT RIGHT

 
SUBMISSION ON LATEST ARTC PLANS FOR BENALLA STATION
 
Better Benalla Rail welcomes the inclusion of a pedestrian underpass connection from the north to Benalla Station in the latest ARTC concept plans. This is a positive outcome in response to community feedback and consultation.
 
However, the concept plans and the limited available information do not fully allay all concerns expressed by the community.  While realising the current plans are concept only, a range of issues have either been omitted or not yet considered.  We include a summary of issues for consideration in the next design phase, informed by previous community feedback obtained by the ARTC, and augmented with our own in-depth considerations and consultation within the community.
 
In essence, the Benalla community has consistently sought an outcome providing safe and accessible access for all, within a design sympathetic to the historic nature of the building and a plan for the total precinct area.
 
Better Benalla Rail continues to offer collaborative assistance as plans develop and believes a seat at the design table will facilitate an outcome which will “Get it right”.
 
FROM THE ARTC – INLAND RAIL WEBSITE

"We are working to confirm an option and share the feedback we receive about the pedestrian underpass and overpass with the community. We are continuing to progress designs and look forward to sharing the next stage of design in early 2023 as well as having more conversations with the community that will help us achieve the best possible outcome for Benalla.
We are always listening and you can continue to share your views by calling into our shopfront at 53 Carrier Street, Benalla, Wednesdays 10am-2pm or contacting us on 1800 732 761."

You can visit the ARTC site and see the drawings and animation by clicking this link:        https://inlandrail.artc.com.au
 
ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION – BENALLA STATION
 
1.    Benalla seeks a “whole of precinct” design that makes the station attractive and welcoming to visitors to our city and a source of pride for the community, and values and enhances the historic 1874 station building.
2.    Disabled access that fully complies with Aust Std 1428.  This includes no steps, no lengthy sloping walk and parking on level ground.
3.    Direct access to the station entrance and both platforms for all emergency service vehicles.
4.    A passenger drop off and pick up point at the station entrance and a taxi rank area. Adequate bus access to alight near the station entrance.
5.    If the underpass option is adopted, then it needs to be designed and located so as not to obstruct or dominate the station entrance.
6.    If the overbridge option is adopted the design needs to provide personal safety, protection from the weather and be sympathetic to the station building.
7.    A passenger shelter on the new platform should include protection from the weather and toilet facilities.
8.    Opportunity exists to create much needed parking.  At the present there are only 38 parks[DB1] [dm2] [dm3] , 60 would be a more realistic minimum.
9.    Landscaping that requires a high level of maintenance should be avoided.
10.If the proposed underpass option is adopted, then additional car parking area can be gained by building the pedestrian entrance ramps on the Melbourne side (i.e., a mirror image of what is proposed in the plans).   Alternatively, the underpass could be built at the Wangaratta end of the station.
11.A design providing safe access to the station precinct from Carrier St. must satisfy current road safety provisions.  The station precinct successfully operated this way from 1874 - 1962[DB4] .
12.The design must avoid creating conflicts and congestion at the front of the station entrance, especially for the safety of pedestrians.  To facilitate this the bus route would be best designed to avoid going past the front of the station entrance.  It would be desirable if other vehicles could directly access the car park without also having to travel past the front of the station entrance.  Direct vehicle access to the station entrance could be reserved for access to disabled parking, drop off & pick up only (no stay time), and taxis. 
13.Underpass entrances to be constructed above the 1993 flood level to avoid potential future flooding.
14.Lowering the track bed and the line height at platform one to enable passenger trains to properly align with the platform so passengers will not have to negotiate the excessive gap that currently exists.  This requirement should also apply to the new second platform.
15.Is it ideal having long and double stacked container trains traveling alongside passenger platforms?  Would it be better to construct dedicated lines in the centre of the railway yard for freight trains?
16.There is a 2m height difference between the station building entrance and McKellar St. road level[DB5] .  How will this be resolved in the new precinct design?
17.Will the line switching location for the Oaklands Line continue to remain where it, is or will it be moved so that it is past and clear of the proposed new 2nd platform? [DB6]  This would allow the 2nd platform to be more easily accessible, especially from the northern side.
18. The signal box should be included as part of the precinct design. Restoration, repurposing, and possible relocation to be considered.
19.Some operational issues should be resolved to enable a better overall precinct design, specifically the resolution of the Oaklands track which will inform the requirement for a second platform[DB7] .
20.In the long term the connection of the NE Rail line with the Melbourne Airport Rail at Sunshine station must be resolved[DB8] .
 
Better Benalla Rail June 2022
 
https://www.betterbenallarail.com/home
 
 
The web address for the ARTC page is below.
 
https://inlandrail.artc.com.au
 
 
 

MEETING WITH MINISTER ALLAN SOUGHT

 
Hon. Jacinta Allan MP                                                                                                               Tuesday 22nd February 2022
Minister for Transport Infrastructure

 
Dear Minister Allan,
 
                                                Benalla Station Precinct Design
 
The Australian Rail Track Corporation announced proposed changes to the Benalla Station precinct for the Inland Rail Project in 2019 prompting the establishment of community group Better Benalla Rail.
 
BBR successfully fought against these plans on behalf of Benalla rail commuters and the wider community resulting in the ARTC announcing in October 2021 that a small section of railway track would be relocated, and a second platform built. The abandonment of the universally unpopular “big Benalla bridge” proposed by the ARTC, and the adoption of the community conceived “straight through solution” was greeted with great relief locally.
 
The major community concern now is to obtain a Station Precinct design that meets the needs of all users. We believe the ARTC has the skills necessary to design the rail and signal components of the precinct, but not the commuter and community requirements. We ask you to establish a working group to facilitate the design development for Benalla Station precinct. This group should include the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, ARTC, VicTrack, DoT, and local Council and community representation.
 
We ask you to meet with us to enable a fuller outline of the issues we consider vital. We have attempted to arrange a meeting with our local Member of the Upper House, Jaclyn Symes MLC, but have had no response to or acknowledgement of our many communications with her. Our group is apolitical and enjoys a membership embracing a wide cross section of political allegiances. Our data base and social media presence enables communication with a significant proportion of the community, who follow events closely.
 
Having been devastated by previous changes to our station, the community is anxious for a design that provides an outcome that city stations would demand and expect. We believe country stations deserve no less.
 
Yours faithfully,

Suzie Pearce                                                                            Copies to:                                           
Chair, Better Benalla Rail
                                                                                                Premier, Daniel Andrews MP
                                                                                                Jaclyn Symes MLC, Attorney-General
                                                                                                Ben Carroll MP, Minister for Transport
                                                                                                Cr Bernie Hearn, Mayor Benalla Rural City

 

Appendix 1

 
Benalla Station Precinct Design Criteria
 
The complexities involved in meeting the needs of commuters of all ages, including those with disabilities, and the operational requirements of a functioning railway station precinct requires skilled design input from experienced architects. The merging of multiple vehicle requirements – bus, coach, taxi and car movement and parking - with the needs of safe pedestrian access must fit within an existing heritage building framework. This historic precinct must be preserved and enhanced by any design proposals.
 
Design Criteria to include
 
·      Safety requirements of all users to be paramount.
·      Easy access for all, particularly the disabled, all meeting Australian Design Standards.
·      Safe operational facilities for coach, bus, and taxi operators.
·      Adequate and safe parking for commuter vehicles and emergency vehicle access.
·      Maintenance and enhancement of the Historic character of buildings.
·      Development of an attractive precinct with appropriate landscaping.

 
ISSUES RELATING TO THE DESIGN AND SAFE OPERATION OF BENALLA STATION PRECINCT
 
1.The first concept plans for the Benalla precinct drawn by the ARTC show no pedestrian access to either the main platform or proposed second platform from the north except by a lengthy circular detour using the Midland Highway rail crossing. They show only a new pedestrian underpass or pedestrian overpass from the south. This oversight needs to be addressed especially now that it is also known the Oaklands Line will be upgraded and a section of track on the northern side of Benalla precinct relocated.
 
2. Whilst ARTC leases all NE rail tracks including the Oaklands Line, the land and buildings at Benalla Station precinct are owned by the State Government and managed by DoT and VicTrack.  VLine's NE services between Melbourne and Albury/Wodonga use the ARTC leased tracks, as does the interstate Sydney/Melbourne XPT service. 
 
3. Long standing problems with the NE Line were clearly summarised by Infrastructure Australia (Project business case evaluation summary: North East Rail Line Upgrade 3 December 2019). It made clear that the NE Line has not been part of the Victorian Regional Fast Rail Program or Regional Rail Revival program that is a joint venture with the Federal Government, to the disadvantage of all north-east communities. It is still not.
 
4. Infrastructure Victoria's latest report presented to Parliament in November 2021 only refers to NE Line Upgrade works. Importantly, the NE Line is not planned to connect with the newly prioritised NE Link to the airport. This is unfortunate because current news items report the possibility that regional Victoria will host the 2026 Commonwealth games, with events to be held in the North East. This international event could showcase Inland Rail works that benefit both freight and passenger needs, however improved passenger services and an international airport link is vital.
 
5. A whole of precinct plan for Benalla should be created for incremental achievement that will enable additional passenger services and other development opportunities for the foreseeable future.
 
 
 
Better Benalla Rail                                                                                                     February 2022
           

Better Benalla Rail seeks meeting.

EMAIL TO JACLYN SYMES
 
“Hon Jaclyn Symes MLC

Dear Jaclyn,

Alana Johnson, representing Better Benalla Rail (BBR), has written twice and telephoned your office asking for assistance from you and seeking a meeting regarding matters concerning proposed works at the Benalla railway precinct in conjunction with the Inland rail Project.

As Chair, Better Benalla Rail, I am now also asking for a firm meeting date and time to discuss the matters outlined in Alana's communications.

BBR is contacting you in particular because you are Representative for Northern Victoria Region, your previous portfolio, Benalla upbringing and family association with the Benalla Railway precinct.

Of all Victorian Labor politicians, you are best placed to understand the need to 'get it right' regarding any future works undertaken at the Benalla Railway precinct.

I look forward to hearing from you and meeting with you.

Regards,
Suzie Pearce,
Chair, Better Benalla Rail. February 2022”

BYE BYE BIG BENALLA BRIDGE!

North East commuters face increased travel times…

North East commuters face increased travel times, Member for Indi Helen Haines contacts Victorian Transport Minister Jacinta Allen.

 

"The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP.      

Minister for Transport Infrastructure

Level 20, 1 Spring Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000

Dear Minister Allan,              

Re: Standard Gauge Platform at Sunshine Station

I am writing to request that the Victorian Government incorporates a standard gauge platform into the design of the new Sunshine Station. 

Trains from the North East Rail Line are currently unable to stop at Sunshine Station because it has no platforms suited to standard gauge trains.

This presents three problems for passengers from the North East.

First, when the Airport Rail link is established, passengers from the North East will have to go all the way into Southern Cross station or catch a bus from Broadmeadows, instead of simply being able to simply change at Sunshine.

Second, when the Melbourne Metro tunnel opens, if passengers want to connect to services along the Dandenong, Pakenham or Cranbourne lines, they will need to catch a connecting service in the city, rather than simply being able to change at Sunshine Station.

Thirdly, a standard gauge platform at Sunshine Station would allow passengers from the North East to connect directly from Sunshine to other regional services to cities like Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. With no Sunshine connection, passengers will continue to have to go all the way to Southern Cross to change.

Each of these scenarios adds substantially to journey times for passengers in the North East. 

It would be simply unacceptable for the Victorian Government to spend so many billions of dollars to upgrade the metropolitan rail network, only to exclude hundreds of thousands of Victorians in the North East from benefitting from those upgrades.

We know that there is space for a standard gauge platform at Sunshine Station because up until recent decades, there was one. Past Victorian Government let it fall into disrepair and eventually removed it. Re-instating the standard gauge platform, and properly reconnecting North East Victorians into the state rail network would be a proud legacy for your Government.

I will be advocating publicly on this issue and I look forward to working with you to make it a reality. 

Yours faithfully,

Dr Helen Haines

Independant Federal Member for Indi

1 November 2021"

Benalla Station - A better design approach

ARTC PLANS AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT

Senate Enquiry Melbourne April 22nd

Hansard proof record of Senate Enquiry

Chair is Senator Glenn Sterle

Mark Campbell CEO of ARTC - Thursday 22nd April in Melbourne
 
CHAIR:  While we're all on a high—things are starting to turn around and things are starting to look a bit more consultative, which is a good thing—let's come back to Benalla. Why can't they have their 1.3-kilometre alternative route? Can they?
Mr Campbell:  The original reference design in Benalla was to raise the height of the bridge that currently goes over onto the platform. The community gave feedback, over a significant amount of time, that they didn't see that as the best solution. Again, long story short, when I visited in February I met members of the Benalla Working Group, the mayor and other representatives. I was shown, like you heard earlier the Deputy Prime Minister was shown, an alternative, which was more of a precinct development, that would help the whole precinct work better. It's a better solution.
CHAIR:  So I don't get confused, is this the 1.3-kilometre alternative route?
Mr Campbell:  Yes. This is, effectively, a solution to move one of the tracks to the other side of the platform, therefore allowing better connectivity. If you go with that solution, you don't need to replace the bridge. The bridge can just go, and the trains can go through. You therefore create a different and an improved precinct area, because you can basically get access to the platforms without having to go up and over a bridge. It's hard without a diagram. Long story short, from a judgement perspective, it's a better solution. The issue we're working through at the moment with the community is exactly what the solution looks like, because it is better. Once we've done that, then we can try and understand what the additional cost will be and have various conversations with various stakeholders, including the government, to try and work through, if it is an additional cost, how we might accommodate that in the project. Both replacing the original bridge and the Benalla precinct redevelopment by moving the tracks are under consideration at the moment.
CHAIR:  So the Benalla crew here today—there you all are—is that music to your ears?
Members of the audience interjecting—
CHAIR:  I love a happy ending.

STATION RALLY SUCCESS

BETTER BENALLA RAIL'S station rally on Friday 19th March was a great success. An impressive turnout representing a wide cross section of the community was on hand to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and to support our proposals for a better station outcome.

Welcomed by Mayor Danny Claridge and BBR Chair Suzie Pearce, the Deputy PM was thoroughly briefed on existing problems and concerns the community has with current ARTC proposals. The BBR alternative "straight through solution" was outlined.

The visit was facilitated by Member for Indi Helen Haines MP, and also attended by Steph Ryan MLA and Senator Bridget McKenzie.

 

Better Benalla Rail presentation to the Deputy Prime Minister
 
 
Thank you for visiting North East Victoria Mr Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Mackenzie and Steph Ryan, to see and hear for yourselves how the Inland Rail Project will impact our local towns.  Thank you, Dr. Helen Haines, for inviting everyone to come on our behalf.
 
Deputy Prime Minister, I can speak for the community and for our Council when I say Benalla is looking to the future. We support your vision for the Inland Rail Project and we believe this can be achieved in a way which benefits both freight handling and the Benalla commuters and community.

The Inland Rail project provides an opportunity to fix the long-term problems at Benalla Station that have existed since the installation of the XPT line and the current overpass in 1967 … and in a way that benefits both freight and passenger needs.

As Phil Rees has pointed out to you, the obvious and most simple solution is to relocate 1.3km of the standard gauge XPT line from one side of the Benalla station to the other. This will allow both lines to be on west side of station. Details have been worked through and are available to you but suffice to say this “straight through solution” will be faster, quieter, more efficient and cost effective,

The relocation of the line will enable direct vehicle and pedestrian access to the station as was the original 1873 design. It will negate the need for a new overpass, allow for demolition of the existing overpass and solve the flood problems that it causes.

This will increase available car parking, allow taxi facilities and resolve the parking and turning problems of up to 40 coaches per day as is shown on the video.

It will also allow for the demolition of the flood prone, unsafe pedestrian underpass that creates access problems for most people but especially young families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Reclaiming and landscaping the XPT line area will provide a sound barrier and enable creation of an attractive and functional station precinct to cater for increased tourist and commuter travel into the future.  

Importantly, it will enable freight trains to travel on a dedicated freight line straight through Benalla rather than use the existing loop and be quicker, safer and quieter. Freight handling and shunting efficiencies and greatly reduced level crossing delays are additional benefits.

The plan will also allow the main platform at Benalla Station to be used by all passenger trains whether traveling north or south because there is no conflict caused by timetabling, no new platform would be required.

The Better Benalla Rail group has already presented this community solution plan to Senator Mackenzie, to our local state member Steph Ryan, to Dr. Helen Haines and to Senator Jane Hume. It has also been discussed with Benalla Council, the local Liberal Party and Labor Party, Union Reps, Rotary, Probus groups and the CWA plus many hundreds in the wider community through the webpage, Facebook, the shop front and the local media.
 
We are united as a community to work to achieve this better local solution. Now that you have visited the Benalla Station precinct, we hope you see the logic and merit of our proposal.  
 
Thank you for your time and consideration.   We have a package of details and diagrams of the local solution for you to take away with you.
 
 
 
Speech by Suzie Pearce, Chair Better Benalla Rail to the Deputy PM.
 
March 19th 2021
 
 
 
 

 

 

NORTH EAST RAIL ALLIANCE

RAIL ALLIANCE HOLDS HISTORIC BENALLA MEETING
 
 
Action to secure better outcomes for the Station precincts of Euroa, Benalla, Glenrowan and Wangaratta will increase in the near future. This week in Parliament Member for Indi Helen Haines asked a question of Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and made a statement on the issue the following day.
 
It is understood the Deputy PM will visit some of the locations in the near future, at the invitation of Helen Haines. Local opposition to ARTC plans for the stations continues to grow, and this week’s historic meeting of the NORTH EAST RAIL ALLIANCE considered strategies to highlight the concerns of residents and commuters.
 
The North East Rail Alliance was formed late last year via Zoom and met in Benalla Thursday evening for the first-time face to face. Comprising representatives of local rail action groups - Euroa Connects, Better Benalla Rail, Glenrowan Improvers and Wangaratta Rail Action Group, the meeting was hosted by Better Benalla Rail at the Pop-Up shop in Nunn St. and chaired by Alana Johnson. 

By invitation local government Councillors attended from Wangaratta, Benalla and Strathbogie to further develop working relationships to achieve a “Better Local Solution”. Mayors of Strathbogie and Benalla attended as did the Dep. Mayor of Wangaratta plus Cr. O'Brien of Benalla and Cr. Hayes-Burke of Strathbogie. 

                                  The purpose and aims of the NE Rail Alliance. 

*          To have a stronger and unified voice about the impact of the Inland Rail project on our local communities and station precincts.
*          To garner the support of each Council to achieve better local solutions for each town and station precinct. 
*          For Councils and State and Federal Governments to embrace the opportunity and synergy the inland rail project can provide for our towns.  
*          To provide our State and Federal MPs with a stronger case in representing community concern and involvement.
*          To petition the State Government to take action about our station precinct design, amenity and functionality. 
*          For State Government to provide the services of the Office of the Victorian Government Architect in the design work. 
*          To provide support to each community in dealing with the ARTC.  
*          For each town to continue independently with their own local community engagement, planning and activities.  

"Think of the paralysis of intellect that gave that idea birth."

Badly informed or designed to mislead?

How the Station once looked

The alternative proposal that meets Benalla's needs.

"Scary on a dull winter morning".

Another view of the historic tower.

Good design - why it matters.