Avenel community rallies for urgent rail safety upgrades

The Avenel community will rally on Saturday to demand the State Government undertake urgent safety upgrades at dangerous rail crossings in the town. 

A 10-year-old girl was seriously injured in April this year when she was hit by a freight train while waiting to cross the Melbourne-Sydney rail line at Bank Street. 

The community is calling on the Victorian Government to commit $3.1 million for a suite of safety upgrades including the installation of locking pedestrian gates at the Bank Street crossing, a pedestrian crossing at the rail intersection at Ewings Rd, and safety fencing along the rail line within the township.    

The Avenel Active community group is also seeking safe and accessible footpaths linking pedestrian rail crossings with the town; a formal, safe and accessible carpark at Avenel V/Line Railway Station; and improved road safety on Saleyard Road, Bank Street and Queen Street.  

Avenel is a growing community north of Melbourne with hundreds of homes set to be built in new estates in the next few years. The rail line runs through the centre of town, with a primary school and pre-school on the east side of the rail line and housing developments to the west. 

Ten-year-old Layla was riding home from school in April this year when her life was changed forever.  She stopped at the Bank Street pedestrian crossing for a freight train to pass, but her front tyre was centimetres too close to the tracks. The train hit her bike and she was flipped into the side of the train and thrown 15m down the tracks.   

Layla’s father, Alex, said it was time for the State Government to act.   

“This is about the safety of our kids,” he said. “Why do country lives matter less? 

“My child deserves to be safe when they are riding to school. I want to make sure that this never happens to another family. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”  

Avenel Active community group Treasurer Helen Gwilliam said after four years of discussions with government, the community was fed up waiting for action.  

“Where’s the Big Build for regional Victoria?” she said. “We’re not asking for much. “The State Government is investing tens of billions of dollars in rail projects in metropolitan Melbourne, but it’s not good enough they can’t find $3 million to keep our community safe.” 

Strathbogie Shire Mayor Cr Scott Jeffery said Avenel was growing and it was essential local infrastructure kept pace. 

“New developments are bringing young families to the area, and the train station ensures Avenel is ideally placed to support the State Government’s plans for housing growth. We need a modern, safe and accessible rail precinct in town, including pedestrian crossings, to ensure lives aren’t being put at risk.” 

While Cr Jeffery thanked the State Government for interim safety measures that were put in place following the April accident, he said it would take more than painted lines to protect the community in the long-term. 

“Council has been meeting with key stakeholders about these essential precinct upgrades, but we need a funding commitment from the Victorian Government.   

“We want to build a safer, more connected Avenel that is ready for the future.”  

The Avenel community will gather at Harvest Home, 1 Bank Street, Avenel, at 11am this Saturday, 29 November. 

Victorian Government representatives have been invited to attend Saturday’s rally where Cr Jeffery and members of Avenel Active will address the community.   

Media are invited to attend. 

For further information contact Council on 1800 065 993