The new Goornong Station officially opened on Sunday 12 December, with locals gathering on the platform to welcome the first train to stop in the town for more than 42 years.
Community members prepare to greet passengers arriving on the first train to stop at the brand-new Goornong Station.
Passengers arriving on the first service from Echuca included Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, Regional Rail Revival Director Mark Havryluk and V/Line Chief Executive Officer Matt Carrick.
Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters and City of Greater Bendigo Council Mayor Andrea Metcalf were among other distinguished guests.
They joined Ms Allan, Mr Carrick and Mr Havryluk to cut a cake celebrating the station's opening after a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony performed by Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Trent Nelson.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, cuts the cake with Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, Regional Rail Revival Director Mark ;Havryluk, V/Line Chief Executive Officer Matt Carrick and City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Andrea Metcalf.
Community members enjoyed free food and drinks supplied by local community groups and businesses including Huntly-Epsom Lions Club, Brew 2 U Mobile Coffee Van and Bendigo Ice Creamery, and games and live music. Hundreds of commemorative train tickets were also given out and proved a popular memento to mark the occasion, with Minister Allan receiving the prized No.1 ticket.
Goornong Station features a single-sided platform on the south of the rail line with lighting, seating, and shelter. Signage, CCTV and a public address system are also included, along with a car park and a pedestrian crossing on the Midland Highway to improve local access.
It is the first of three stations being delivered as part of the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade to give people in growing communities access to trains close to where they live. The delivery of Huntly Station is targeted for completion in mid-2022, and Raywood Station on the Swan Hill Line later next year.
The Goornong Station community celebration event was well attended, with free food and drinks, games and live music among the attractions enjoyed by patrons.
The original station at Goornong opened on 19 September 1864, with the last scheduled passenger train stopping at Goornong on 11 January 1979 before the now-demolished station was closed in June the same year.
The Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade is part of the $4 billion Regional Rail Revival program, which is upgrading every regional passenger rail line in Victoria and creating 3,000 jobs and local supplier opportunities.
Learn more about the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade.
