Re-Introduction of Passenger Rail to Hamilton

There is a lack of a convenient and dedicated rail service into Hamilton, linked with Ballarat via Ararat is disadvantaging residents and visitors of Southern Grampians Shire. Many comparable towns such as Swan Hill, Benalla and Yarrawonga have access to passenger rail in Victoria to travel to larger regional cities which the Southern Grampians currently lacks.

Underlying reasons for recommending return of rail services to Horsham and Hamilton are that:

• It responds to many of the identified needs.
• It provides better inter-city connections.
• It is strongly supported by the region’s communities.
• It provides equity with other cities and towns throughout Victoria.
• It is operationally and financially feasible.

Six return daily train services to Ararat, four to Horsham and three to Hamilton is vital. These services would all connect at Ballarat with direct trains to/from Melbourne via Ballan. An upgraded train station at Hamilton, overnight stabling in Hamilton and Horsham along with standardisation of rail gauge between Ballarat to Ararat and other associated works is also required.

Detailed design is needed for conversion of existing track between Ballarat and Ararat from broad to standard gauge; new rolling stock, train station upgrades and associated works.

$371m

The cost of proposals in the 2017 Feasibility Report has been estimated in a peer-reviewed process.
• Stage 1 of the proposals (those for early implementation) - are costed at $1.6m;
• Stage 2, including new trains and standardisation of the Ballarat to Ararat railway and associated train stabling, maintenance and signalling, has an estimated capital cost of $369m and an additional annual operating cost of $6.1m.