Avenel Rail and Pedestrian Safety Campaign
Avenel Active and Strathbogie Shire Council are calling on the Victorian and Australian Governments to:
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install automated locking gates at Avenel Railway Station and Ewings Road pedestrian level crossings; and
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build a safe and accessible formal V/Line car park at Avenel Railway Station, including sealed and marked car parking, footpaths and safety lighting.
Community Advocacy
Avenel Rail Safety Rally, November 2025.
The community has called for upgrade of the rail precinct for many years. Recent advocacy includes:
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our 2025 community survey expressing concern about the unsafe condition of the Avenel Railyard
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Sam Birrell MP, Federal Member for Nicholls, advocating for improved safety and a formal station car park
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Annabelle Cleeland MP, Member for Euroa, calling for upgrades and transfer of the Railyard to Council
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the Avenel Rail Safety Rally attended by more than 100 residents in November 2025
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coverage by Channel 9's A Current Affair in January 2026 - Train Line Risking Lives
Avenel Active has written to the Victorian and Commonwealth ministers for transport seeking their commitment to improve Avenel's rail precinct.
As the Victorian State Election in November 2026 approaches we are asking local candidates to support the campaign. We will share any commitments made on this webpage and via social media.
Avenel Active is not aligned to any political party. Sharing any commitments made by parties or candidates on this webpage does not imply support.
Is Avenel the worst V/Line precinct in Victoria?
Sadly, probably not...but it's pretty bad! Based on our desktop survey of the North East rail line:
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Avenel is one of only four (with Violet Town, Springhurst and Chiltern) of the 22 main V/Line stations between Melbourne and Albury without an underpass or locking pedestrian gates at its level crossing.
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For three of those four stations (Avenel, Violet Town and Springhurst) the level crossing is the only pedestrian access across the rail line between the town centre and residential areas.
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Avenel also appears to be one of only six of the 17 non-metro main V/Line stations between Donnybrook and Albury without either a designated and/or sealed V/ Line station car park.
The Victorian Government's Big Build removed dangerous level crossings and upgraded station car parks across Melbourne and at Donnybrook, Wallan, Nagambie, Murchison East and Mooroopna.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation's (ARTC) Inland Rail project is upgrading stations at Euroa, Benalla, Wangaratta and Albury to increase freight rail capacity, including improved parking and pedestrian access.
But Avenel still has no effective separation between pedestrians and passing trains, a ballast-strewn railyard instead of a V/Line car park, and missing footpaths at intersections of the railway and main roads.
Dangerous pedestrian level crossings
Avenel is divided by the North East rail line with the Avenel V/Line station in the town centre. Residents north and west of the rail line must cross the line to access local services and community activities.
Multiple passenger and freight trains pass through Avenel daily, but there is no effective physical separation between pedestrians and passing trains at either level crossing in the town.
The Avenel V/Line Station pedestrian level crossing at Bank Street has a passive maze with no automated locking gates. In April 2025 a primary school student waiting for a freight train to pass was seriously injured when the front edge of their bicycle wheel was caught by the train.
Avenel V/Line Station pedestrian rail crossing, Bank Street, May 2025. No effective pedestrian barriers.
Avenel V/Line Station pedestrian rail crossing, Bank Street, July 2025
Upright posts have been painted yellow for greater visibility.
The crossing remains without effective pedestrian barriers.
The Ewings Road level crossing has no effective controls to separate pedestrians from passing trains.
There is no pedestrian rail crossing or footpaths. A subdivision for up to 80 houses and a childcare centre has been approved on land next to the rail line which will significantly increase the number of pedestrians using both crossings.
Ewings Road, Avenel rail crossing, May 2025.
Unsafe and inaccessible station 'carpark'
The VicTrack-managed railyard next to the station has never been made into a formal V/Line carpark.
There is sealed parking for only five cars. There is no level access from the station to the parking area and no disability parking. The surface is large gauge blue metal and track ballast, with little maintenance by VicTrack.
Passengers are often reluctant to park in the railyard and park on Queen Street instead, occupying on-street parking next to the medical practice pharmacy, cafe and retail businesses.
The VicTrack-managed Avenel Railyard, January 2025.
No footpath next to 50km/h arterial road
VicTrack has never installed a sealed footpath north from Avenel Railway Station along the main C346 road through Avenel. There is no clear separation between pedestrians and 50 km/ hr traffic on the main road.
Many residents walk along the main road rather than cross the railyard. This is extremely dangerous. The junction of Queen Street, Bank Street and the Avenel-Longwood Road is notoriously unsafe, as drivers frequently mistake the Avenel-Longwood Road as the continuation of the main road through town.
The intersection of the VicTrack-managed Avenel Railyard, the VicRoads-managed main C346 road and the Avenel rail crossing, August 2023.
There is no footpath on either side of the 50km/hr road for pedestrians.
Support the Campaign!
Talk about the campaign and share this webpage with family, friends and networks.
Ask Members of Parliament and candidates in the 2026 Victorian State Election to support the campaign.
