It was a win for people power on Wednesday, October 20, when Australian Rail Track Corporation announced it was backing plans for a track relocation in Benalla.
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The news was not only welcomed by local people, but also Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines and Benalla Rural City Council, who had both fought for the community’s preferred outcome.
The initial ideas pitched to Benalla involved either removing and replacing the current overpass leading from Mackellar St to the station, or digging the track down so the trains could pass under the existing structure.
It was Benalla resident Stephen Kelly who first shone a light on the disconnect between ARTC plans and community expectations, after receiving correspondence explaining the changes.
It was also Mr Kelly who first introduced the idea of a track relocation.
He would go on to set up the first community group opposing the plans and gained a lot of momentum, holding town hall meetings and speaking to the Ensign.
Not long after that the Better Rail for Benalla Group was formed and launched the Save Our Station campaign, which aimed to open up the station precinct, by fighting to have the XPT line relocated rather than constructing a new overpass, which was the only option on the table at that stage.
They were told categorically that there was no money for a track relocation in Benalla and the overpass was the only option.
In the ensuing months the budget for Inland Rail blew out from $4.7 billion to more than $20 billion.
The argument that there was no money for a track relocation in Benalla started to be questioned.
Ultimately ARTC added two proposals that involved track relocation, along with the new overpass plan, which were put to the community for feedback.
Following that feedback the new overpass concept was ditched.
Dr Haines declared it a victory for Benalla.
“(The) announcement that the community-backed option will now be delivered was the culmination of two years of dedicated campaigning from the Benalla community,” Dr Haines said.
“When I first started meeting with the ARTC two years ago, they told me their road bridge proposal for Mackellar St was a done deal, and the community proposals would be too expensive and could never happen.
“The fact we have turned that around is a testament to the power of the community campaign we pulled together.”
Dr Haines said the fact the announcement from ARTC came so soon after the consultation opened showed the strength of community sentiment.
“Just three weeks ago, the ARTC told me they would not be making a decision on the final design for Benalla until next year,” she said.
“But the level of community support for the track re-alignment and the redevelopment of the station precinct has clearly been completely overwhelming.”
In March, Dr Haines hosted former Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack at Benalla Station so he could hear directly from the community.
And last month, she invited current Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce to visit Benalla for the same purpose.
“I’ve been persistent in making the case to government that they have to listen to the community in Benalla, they cannot simply come into our community and force things on to us,” Dr Haines said.
“That advocacy to government has worked.”
Dr Haines said that while Wednesday’s announcement was a significant step, the community campaign had to keep up pressure to make sure the outcome delivered was top quality.
“We now need to see the ARTC actually deliver on what they’ve committed to,” she said.
“And we need to see additional investment to make sure the new station precinct really is safe, accessible and becomes the beautiful entrance to Benalla that the town deserves.”
Benalla Mayor Danny Claridge described the announcement as great news.
"This will be fantastic for Benalla,“ Cr Claridge said.
“Last night at the council meeting we allocated $50,000 to the Station Precinct plan.”
Cr Claridge said as the state owned the station and adjoining land, council had no say over it.
Therefore the money allocated would be used to upgrade the station end of Carrier St, and its surrounds.
“If you are looking up Carrier St towards the station it will be beautiful view of the station and its palm trees,” he said.
BBR member David Moore thanked ARTC for listening to the community but said the group would continue to advocate for a station precinct design that fulfilled community expectations.
“The ARTC have come up with some concept sketches, which is a start, but it’s not really the solution we want,” Mr Moore said.
“(When the overpass is gone) it will be a marvellous new beginning for Benalla, and we need it well designed.”
Mr Moore said BBR was pushing for the office of the Victorian Government Architect to take over station design.
“There are issues around pedestrian access, safety and disability access. All the things (the VGA) are experienced in,” he said.
BBR chair Suzie Pearce said she would like to thank Dr Haines for her unwavering support.
“Without her championing our cause, Benalla might not have achieved this outcome,” Ms Pearce said.
“The focus now shifts from federal to state matters, as the railway precinct is on state-owned land.
“With good design our station can once again become an important and well-functioning focal point of our city.
“BBR encourages the community to continue providing their feedback so that the best outcome is achieved for the foreseeable future.
“Any comment, no matter how small, in the ARTC survey is better than no comment. Without your input something might be overlooked.”