HomeLatestWangaratta Rail Hub Opens with Inland Link Boost

Wangaratta Rail Hub Opens with Inland Link Boost

The city of Wangaratta is now home to a newly upgraded railway station that marks a significant step forward in Australia’s push towards sustainable freight transport.

The opening of the redeveloped Wangaratta railway station also signals the completion of Tranche 1 of the Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury (B2A) project, a critical component in the nation’s broader Inland Rail corridor. Inland Rail is envisioned as a transformational freight route that will connect Melbourne and Brisbane in under 24 hours using double-stacked freight trains. With the completion of this tranche, the project not only strengthens logistics efficiency but also aligns with the country’s ambitions for lower-emission, rail-based freight solutions. The rail corridor, once fully operational, is expected to significantly reduce long-haul road transport, cutting carbon emissions and promoting sustainable supply chains.

The redeveloped Wangaratta station stands as the centrepiece of the B2A Tranche 1 initiative. The infrastructure overhaul, delivered in partnership with construction firm McConnell Dowell, involved a suite of engineering feats designed to modernise the station and accommodate double-stacked freight. These included relocating the east track to form a new west track, adding a new western platform, lowering tracks beneath the Green Street bridge, and constructing a new pedestrian underpass. The replacement of the Green Street bridge along its original alignment was crucial to ensuring the clearance required for high-capacity freight movement. The station precinct is now not only functional for freight movement but has also been made significantly more accessible for passengers. The addition of a western car park, improved connectivity through new pathways, and modern accessibility features including lifts, ramps, and stairs have created a commuter-friendly environment. Safety has been enhanced with the installation of 35 high-definition security cameras across the station premises.

Beyond Wangaratta, the Tranche 1 project has delivered a host of rail infrastructure upgrades along the 262-kilometre corridor between Beveridge and Albury. Notable enhancements include the lowering of tracks under the Murray Valley Highway at Barnawartha North and replacement of rail bridges at Glenrowan and the Seymour-Avenel Road. These works are critical in future-proofing the corridor and ensuring its ability to handle the increased load and height of double-stacked freight. The Inland Rail project, managed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), has been consistently presented as a boon for local communities and businesses. And the data from Tranche 1 bears this out. A total of 1,650 individuals were employed during the project’s construction phase, including 59 First Nations workers, 124 women, 176 young adults under 25, and 39 apprentices. Of the total workforce, 1,578 were regional residents, with 488 from Wangaratta alone.

The project also became an economic catalyst for small and medium enterprises in the region. A total of 346 local businesses benefitted from contracts valued at $161.3 million, including 10 First Nations-owned enterprises. Wangaratta itself saw $18 million in investment across 43 businesses that provided services ranging from electrical installations and plumbing to traffic management, accommodation, and catering. Experts have hailed the Wangaratta station upgrade and the broader B2A project as pivotal to transitioning Australia’s freight backbone from road to rail. Rail freight is substantially more energy-efficient and has the potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75 per cent compared to road freight. This shift supports long-term national goals of carbon neutrality and positions the Inland Rail as a cornerstone of future-ready, low-carbon logistics infrastructure.

The successful completion of Tranche 1 also demonstrates how infrastructure development can be inclusive and equitable when there is a conscious effort to create opportunities for underrepresented groups. The high participation of women, First Nations workers, and young adults underscores the potential of large-scale projects to promote social equity while delivering economic value. With Tranche 2 now underway, which will complete the Victorian section of the Inland Rail corridor, attention has turned to ensuring the next phase is equally inclusive, environmentally sound, and economically beneficial. Officials have reaffirmed their commitment to prioritising sustainability benchmarks and community engagement throughout the project lifecycle.

The Inland Rail’s Victorian section, once fully completed, will not only reshape how freight is moved but will also leave behind a legacy of modernised infrastructure and empowered communities. For Wangaratta, the newly opened station is more than just a logistical node — it is a symbol of transformation, connection, and resilience in the face of evolving economic and environmental challenges.

Also Read : GMDA Receives Approval to Fell 1300 Trees for Metro Construction

Wangaratta Rail Hub Opens with Inland Link Boost
RELATED ARTICLES
- Advertisment -spot_img

Most Popular

Latest News

Recent Comments