General News
7 November, 2025
Time for a refresh
THERE are calls for the Victorian Government to look at revitalising the Ararat railway precinct, with travellers and local residents complaining the area is an eyesore.
The railway station in Ararat was reopened in 2004 by the Bracks Government after the local passenger line had been closed for over a decade.
While Ararat is a busy operational railway station and the terminus of the passenger line from Melbourne, much of the precinct has fallen into a state of disrepair.
The Advocate inspected the station recently with the President of the Ararat Railway Heritage Centre Laurie Harvey.
We found the platform unswept, the goods shed missing part of its roof, long grass and weeds along the tracks as well as weeds popping up from the platform.
A regular traveller on the Overland between Melbourne and Adelaide contacted the Advocate to express dismay at the condition of the station.
“Coming into Ararat on the train, you would think Ararat was a third world destination. The station and its surrounds don’t give off a good image of what is essentially a beautiful town,” they wrote.
Mr Harvey said he loves the local station, but concedes it is looking a little worse for wear.
He said railway stations were once the pride of country towns, but times have changed.
“The station master was like the Mayor of the place, he was a very important man, but now not so.
Mr Harvey said the old good shed in particular was a sight for sore eyes.
“It’s going to have to be dismantled isn’t it? Either that or someone will set fire to it. It’ll just disappear.
Asked about the condition of the precinct, Mt Harvey said it wasn’t up to scratch.
“You wouldn’t leave your own back yard like this.
“In my day, there was some pride in the stations. The station master had a lot of authority and everything was clean.
“If I was travelling through and the Overland and saw this I’d think a bomb had hit it,” Mr Harvey said.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett agrees the precinct is unappealing and is keen to hear from local residents about their views.
She also concedes that parking at the station has become increasingly difficult as more and more people are using the train to Melbourne.
“I’m keen to hear people’s views so I can present a case to the Minister,” Ms Haylett said.
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