BINNEYLINK has been relegated to the status of a distant hope, as EuroaConnect turns to a new plan to improve Euroa’s railway precinct through a Federal Government grant.

“We accept that BinneyLink will not be a part of the current development, but we would love to see it happen down the track,” EuroaConnect member Shirley Saywell said.

“And we are keen to ensure that infrastructure doesn't prohibit that in the future.

“In 20 years’ time, when you’ve got [a larger population], they might go, ‘we really need this link to the other side’.

“We think we need to be realistic about what Inland Rail is going to do, and we just want the provision for it down the track.

“So, we would love to see Klofty’s purchased; we would love to see Klofty’s developed as part of the precinct.

“And one day, that may include BinneyLink, but until then, we still want to see it as part of the precinct.”

EuroaConnect’s concept of BinneyLink, to link the east and west sides of Euroa through a pedestrian underpass facing Binney Street, attracted significant community interest and support.

The community group wanted Inland Rail to purchase Franz Kloft’s Mechanical Repairs (Klofty’s), which is in prime Binney-facing position on Railway Street, to build BinneyLink as part of the upgrade of Euroa Railway Station scheduled for next year.

But despite initially indicating interest in purchasing the building (according to Mr Kloft), Inland Rail has said it does not have budget to purchase Klofty’s, making BinneyLink impossible as they forge ahead with their design for the rail precinct.

EuroaConnect has now set its sights on the government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (RPPP) as the group prepares to submit a grant application requesting about $5 million to fund a suite of developments in the railway precinct, which would include purchasing Klofty’s (valued at about $600,000).

In a letter to Indi MP Helen Haines, EuroaConnect members said the grant could fund “a micro-forest referencing rare, endangered, and local” flora and fauna; a “solar energy car park shading for the 60 car park sites which Inland Rail intends installing”; “EV and E-bike charging stations to build on tourism opportunities”; “a public art space and sculpture park referencing the now demolished 1873 railway goods shed and local arts practitioners”; a “summer open air picture theatre and/or amphitheatre proximate to the North Eastern Hotel”; and “a safe and user-friendly pedestrian underpass at Kirkland Avenue at the eastern end of the precinct, replacing the current design”.

The development area, according to the letter, would encompass six acres surrounding the train station, referred to by group members as Euroa’s “great gap”, which has been “a gravel wasteland… for decades”.

Ms Saywell said she welcomed community feedback and ideas as EuroaConnect seeks support for the grant application, which would be submitted by Euroa Arboretum – which Ms Saywell is president of – due to its status as an incorporated organisation.

Helen Haines put EuroaConnect in contact with Infrastructure Minister Catherine King’s office, who encouraged them to submit an application, Ms Saywell said.

EuroaConnect is seeking support from Strathbogie Shire Council, the State Government and the Taungurung Land and Waters Council before submitting an application.

Ms Saywell said council’s interim CEO Tim Tamlin has so far been receptive and encouraging, with council’s support crucial to the application’s success.

“EuroaConnect has always had the interests of the town at heart and we would love the community to back this bid,” Ms Saywell said.