General News
19 November, 2023
Full steam ahead for rail land revival
The revitalisation of one of Horsham’s greatest eyesores is a step closer with the release of updated plans to revitalise the city’s much-maligned rail corridor. Land on either side of the railway line, between Wawunna Road and McPherson Street...
The revitalisation of one of Horsham’s greatest eyesores is a step closer with the release of updated plans to revitalise the city’s much-maligned rail corridor.
Land on either side of the railway line, between Wawunna Road and McPherson Street,is earmarked for the makeover - a bold and long-awaited scheme totransformthe disused area from wasteland into a series of connected paths, woodlands and green areas.
As well, there isprovision in the plan for a car park to encourage more visitors to the silo and flour mill, where theYangga Dyata Walking On Country artwork was unveiled in June last year.
The landscape concept plan is the next step in a long-running bid to transform the industrial rail corridor into usable open public space.
The Horsham Rail Corridor Master Plan, released in March 2016, was designed to “provide a new recreational and open space that helps connect the Horsham community, bringing people together from both sides of the railway line”.
Now Horsham Rural City is seeking comment, and will host public feedback sessions later this month.
Council CEO Sunil Bhalla said design details were based largely on feedback provided as part of the Horsham North Local Area Plan, released in May.
“The appearance of the rail corridor was consistently the number one issue raised by the community,” he said.
“People told us they want this area to look nicer, feel safer and better connect north and south Horsham.
“This landscape design includes a series of connecting paths for walkers and cyclists.
“There will also be a carpark for 39 cars near the Silo Art installation with seats and viewing areas and opportunities across the corridor for public art and storytelling.
“Importantly, the plan includes landscaping to support a new proposed rail underpass linking to the northern end of David Street which, if funded, would provide a safer pedestrian route from the north to the south of the city and will also be compatible for any return of passenger rail in the future.”
Any work on the corridor, the site of theabandoned city rail yards, also will not preclude any potential future rail developments.
Mayor Robyn Gulline pointed out earlier this year that councilwas mindful of the region’s campaign to have passenger trains returned.
“We just need to be careful that any works do not impinge on any parts of the rail corridor that may be required for transport purposes in the future,” Cr Gulline said.
Mr Bhalla said while council was still negotiating the purchase of land parcels in a key area of the corridor north of the railway line, remediation work on contaminated soils had been completed for commercial/industrial use.
“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes for the rail corridor, and it is important to have this landscaping plan finalised so we can be ready to move to the next stage of the upgrade process,” he said.
There also are a number of limitations to be considered: funds have not yet been acquired to construct the proposed underpass, and theproject can’t be costed until after the feedback process is completed.
Nevertheless, this is a significant step towards transforming the former rail yards, which have sat vacant for the past decade since the relocation of operations to the then newly opened Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal at Dooen in 2012.
The feedback sessions will be held at Kalkee Road Children’s Hub from 11am-1.30pm and 5pm to 7.30pm on both November 22 and 23.
People can also view the plan at the HRCC offices and complete an online survey, which closes on November30.
For details, visithttps://www.hrcc.vic.gov.au/Have-Your-Say/Rail-Corridor-Landscape-Plan