Plans put on the table from new group

A NEW volunteer run local group has been established to develop an alternative option to the Anderson St overpass, which they argue is a viable solution to the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s overpass proposal. Called Euroa Connect the group has proposed the building of an underpass, reuniting the town with the removal of the overpass and creation of a green precinct. The proposal which will was presented to Strathbogie Shire council on Tuesday night looks to also expand on and establish a town centre with the potential of an area for arts, culture and events in the existing heritage railway buildings. A founding member of the group, Kathy Clark-Orsanic, who with her partner Zvonko Orsanic runs a design studio in Euroa, said it was clear that many in the community were opposed to a bigger bridge. “It seems logical to think about other possibilities (and) we must grasp this opportunity.” Ms Clark-Orsanic said. She said the rail precinct development has opened up enormous possibilities which should see locals enthusiastic about the town’s future. “We must not be constrained by narrow thinking or allow a ARTC to limit the possibilities,” Ms Clark-Orsanic said. “Now is the time to reimagine your role as a real precinct - let's talk about how we want to grow our town to grow, or function in the future.” The group have also used engineer Richard Hughes, who was in charge of the McCoy Street overpass in Wodonga and design professional Simon Linardi with the group saying they've considered all the engineering and design applications and we're satisfied their proposal was an eminently doable. They also made clear that while this is not necessarily the solution, it was certainly a solution, but Ms Clark-Orsanic said it needed to be visionary. “This is more than getting double stack freight trains from Victoria to Queensland, this is about adopting a striking townscape vision,” she said. “This site, the rail precinct is, Euroa’s heart but for 60 years it has been a storage yard. Why wouldn't we transform this space into a town asset and make it a pacemaker by including art spaces play spaces, cafes and gardens?” Zvonko Orsanic has been successful in attracting RMIT design students in the project, with students visiting Euroa in March to undertake research with design ideas on exhibition in June.