Masterplan open to community, but not for the last time

By ANDY WILSON Two public information sessions to view the Euroa Railway Precinct Masterplan brought with them much discussion on Monday, 28 July, as locals gear up for a further opportunity to provide input. A total of 34 people attended the council’s conference room over the two sessions to meet with staff from Inland Rail, ARTC, and council to discuss the masterplan in small groups. The masterplan has been shaped by stakeholder and community input and outlines the staged vision for the new railway precinct. Director Sustainable Infrastructure Oliver McNulty said the development of the precinct was going to be an ongoing process that extended beyond the completion of the Inland Rail. “This is the start of a process that could go on for up to five or ten years,” Mr McNaulty said. “Inland Rail is going to deliver on a project that will change the face of Euroa forever and we want to enhance that precinct to the next stage and into the future. “This is an opportunity for the community to feed into what that future may look like.” Mr McNulty said the sessions were an opportunity for people to individually understand the concept of the precinct. “This is not the last time to community will be able to get engaged,” he said. “The next step is to look at the detail as to how we will physically build it. “This is a concept - these plans will change.” Euroa local Mary Manning said the evening was ‘extremely useful’ and the plans had been well presented. “I think the overview - particularly the consultation - was really good,” Ms Manning said. “We got the idea that it is really an in-principle concept, so details are yet to be worked out.” Ms Manning had a message for the community. “I think we all need to make sure that we look at those plans, and individually give our feedback. “Our table was a bit concerned about the sort of finish that Inland Rail might leave when they're finished. “For example, the mesh fencing along the railway line, except for where the platform is, does sound pretty unattractive so that will need a lot of planting out because that's not going to be something we can change.” Ms Manning also said she was concerned that salvaged parts of the former goods shed would not be preserved appropriately. “We thought they were going to be somehow incorporated in the enhancement plan, but the person from Inland Rail seemed to be thinking that they would just use them for edging or something like that. “I think it's important that the community gains access to those materials to at least acknowledge a bit more prominence and something useful like seating or a small shelter to commemorate the goods shed that was there.” Mr McNulty said various parts of the land at the precinct were owned or licenced by either VicTrack, ARTC, V’Line, or council. “We need to resolve all those issues – who’s going to manage what – because that is critical to the community.” Ms Manning said such delineation required clarity. “I think that the confusion undermines achieving, rejoining and visually rejoining both parts of Euroa, which I thought was a very important aspect of the plan.” Community members are encouraged to provide their feedback online at share.strathbogie.vic.gov.au or visit council offices for a hard copy. For more information, visit www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au Feedback is open until 13 August.