The Victorian Government has revealed the final designs for the Ballarat Station upgrade, with construction set to begin in early 2025.
The final designs include a wide range of accessibility upgrades for passengers, while respecting the heritage of the transport precinct.
By significantly improving the accessibility of the station, the upgrade will make it easier for people with a disability, as well as passengers with prams and luggage, to get around the station and use public transport.
The project will deliver a new pedestrian overpass, along with lifts and stairs installed at both platforms – it will also upgrade the northern entry to the station, with a new ramp and stairs to be built, along with improvements to lighting.
Community feedback helped to shape the final designs, with further architectural work completed to reduce the visual impacts of the new accessible overpass on the existing station buildings.
The height of the overpass has been reduced and balconies added in the lift landings to provide look-out points with scenic views of the historical station, which opened in 1862.
The overpass colour palette has also been changed to make it more resistant to discolouration from dust and dirt.
The ‘outriggers’ supporting the stairwell canopy will be a unique design that references the existing trusses inside the station building, while the balustrade will also be a contemporary take on the heritage stair overpass inside the building.
The release of the final designs follows community consultation and engagement with Heritage Victoria and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect – with construction on the project set to begin in 2025 and will be completed in 2026.
The works will build on the Ballarat Line Upgrade, which delivered an extra 135 weekly services for Ballarat and growing communities along the line. Trains now run every 20 minutes on average during peak times.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Danny Pearson, said, “We have worked closely with the local community to refine the designs to protect the historical significance of Ballarat Station without compromising accessibility.”
Member for Ballarat, Juliana Addison, “With construction on track to start early next year, we are getting on with delivering this important accessibility upgrade project for Ballarat Station that will make moving between platforms easier for all users.”
Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle, said, “This important upgrade will make it easier for everyone to navigate the station, with lift access to both platforms and a new northern entrance.”
