The concept design for a new bus interchange at Ballarat Station has been released, which forms a part of the long-planned station precinct redevelopment.
The Ballarat community has been invited to attend an information session today to learn more about the design.
The interchange will feature 12 new bus bays, canopy shelters for weather protection, and pedestrian crossings to improve passenger access to the station.
“Ballarat is one of the fastest growing areas in Victoria, with more people relying on our regional transport services than ever before,” state transport minister Jacinta Allan said.
“We’re giving local buses a permanent home, reducing the impact of frequent bus services on local roads and residents.”
Plans for a bus terminal were absent from the initial designs for the $25 million precinct redevelopment (released in November 2016); however, the Victorian government’s 2017/18 budget included an added $5 million for the interchange, with the regional development minister Jaala Pulford saying it was “always part of [the government’s] plans”.
The concept design was developed by VicTrack, who will be delivering the VicTrack project. The interchange will be located in-between the train station and the new multi-storey cark park that is under construction at the site.
According to VicTrack, the design is based on traffic, heritage and environmental assessments, along with specialist advise from transport experts, engineers and architects. Consultation with Heritage Victoria and the City of Ballarat will ensure the final design will maintain the heritage of the station area.
“This will connect Ballarat’s public transport like never before. It’s a big win for commuters and the perfect complement to our exciting Ballarat Station precinct project,” Pulford said on the occasion of the concept design release.
The broader station precinct redevelopment, led by Regional Development Victoria (RDV), will turn the area into a “commercial and cultural hub”, and will include the creation of new open spaces and the remediation of the site’s heritage goods shed, which will be transformed into an integrated hotel and exhibition/convention centre.