The new Wangaratta Station precinct in Victoria has opened as part of the multistate Inland Rail project.
The precinct features modern infrastructure, including a new western car park, better-connected pathways, new lifts, ramps and stairs.
The opening follows completion of major construction sites at Barnawartha North, Glenrowan, Seymour-Avenel Road and Green Street bridge in Wangaratta.
Nick Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Inland Rail said the opening of the precinct and completing major construction of the first four Victorian sites are exciting milestones for Inland Rail.
“These significant achievements bring Inland Rail another step closer to running double-stacked freight trains from Victoria up to Parkes, New South Wales by 2027,” he said.
“The high numbers of local workers and businesses engaged in Victoria since construction started in 2023 is a terrific result and it’s something we want to replicate all the way to Brisbane.”
Almost 1650 people worked on Inland Rail’s first four Victoria sites, including 59 First Nations people, 124 women, 39 apprentices, and 176 young adults under the age of 25.
More than 488 workers were from Wangaratta and more than 1570 workers were residents from across the region.
Miller said it’s vital that Inland Rail leaves a positive legacy for local Victorian towns, one that’s not just about new railway infrastructure.
“We want to expose local workers to new opportunities, boost skills and develop and expand capabilities of businesses so they can grow and thrive after we’re gone,” said Miller.
Minor finishing works will continue around the Wangaratta Station precinct in coming weeks, including final landscaping, lighting installation and testing.
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