New Wangaratta Station precinct opens as Inland Rail powers ahead in Victoria
The upgraded Wangaratta Station precinct was officially opened today by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, the Hon Catherine King MP, marking the completion of the first four Inland Rail sites in Victoria.
May 27, 2025
Officially opening the Wangaratta Station Precinct – (from left) V/Line Acting Executive Director Anita Gelfond, Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant, Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister the Hon. Catherine King, Inland Rail CEO Nick Miller, McConnell Dowell Victoria Operations Manager Harriet Christopherson and Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines.
The Minister was joined by Inland Rail CEO Nick Miller, representatives from the Beveridge to Albury project team, our construction partner McConnell Dowell and local community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a station precinct tour.
Wangaratta locals are already benefitting from Wangaratta Station precinct’s modern infrastructure, which includes a new western car park, better-connected pathways, new lifts, ramps and stairs, all backed by the safety of 35 security cameras.
Inland Rail CEO Nick Miller said opening the Wangaratta Station precinct and completing major construction of the first four Victorian sites are exciting milestones for Inland Rail.
“These significant achievements bring Inland Rail another step closer to running double-stacked freight trains from Victoria up to Parkes, NSW by 2027.
“The high numbers of local workers and businesses engaged in Victoria since construction started in 2023 is a terrific result and it’s something we want to replicate all the way to Brisbane.”
Almost 1,650 people worked on Inland Rail’s first four Victoria sites, including 59 First Nations people, 124 women, 39 apprentices, and 176 young adults under the age of 25. More than 488 workers were from Wangaratta and more than 1,570 workers were residents from across the region.
In total, 346 local businesses, including 43 Wangaratta businesses and 10 First Nations businesses, were awarded supply contracts valued at $161.3 million. In addition, more than $18 million was spent directly with Wangaratta businesses during construction.
Mr Miller said it’s vital that Inland Rail leaves a positive legacy for local Victorian towns, one that’s not just about new railway infrastructure.
“We want to expose local workers to new opportunities, boost skills and develop and expand capabilities of businesses so they can grow and thrive after we’re gone,” Mr Miller said.
Minor finishing works will continue around the Wangaratta Station precinct in coming weeks, including final landscaping, lighting installation and testing.
The Wangaratta Station precinct opening follows completion of major construction sites at Barnawartha North, Glenrowan, Seymour-Avenel Road and Green Street bridge in Wangaratta.
Read more to learn how the upgraded Wangaratta Station precinct has been transformed.
