General News
14 April, 2025
Petition to upgrade Beaufort Station
Regular train traveller Leanne Ryan from Ararat is frustrated with the lack of facilities and security at the Beaufort Railway Station.
Regular train traveller Leanne Ryan from Ararat is frustrated with the lack of facilities and security at the Beaufort Railway Station.
Leanne who works in Beaufort travels back and forth daily by train and has been concerned for some time about the poor facilities at the heritage station, particularly when she is waiting for her train home in the evening after work.
In an attempt to address the issue, she has commenced a petition to the Victorian State Government on the issue covering four key issues - the need for a fit for purpose waiting room, passenger information display boards, accessible bathroom facilities and CCTV for safety.
The waiting room has no doors on it and is a walkway from the street to the platform. It is unkempt and appears to have had little or no maintenance undertaken in recent times. The floors are stained, walls marked and in poor condition.
The station platform, while roofed has no protection from the wind from either direction and the toilets are kept locked and not available to commuters.
Leanne’s primary concern is the lack of CCTV at the station for herself and the hundreds of residents who use the station on a regular basis.
The usage at the station has increased over the past year with the substantially reduced train fares for regional and rural travellers.
Whilst not verified, it is believed that Beaufort is the only railway station that does not have CCTV between Melbourne and Ararat.
There has regularly been damage to the signal box and aspects of the platform have been vandalised.
The station is unmanned and the station is not fronted by housing on the opposite side, hence a real need for security to be in place.
The Advocate understands that there is CCTV in the new railway station carpark, but this does not cover the station itself.
The final aspect of the petition is the need for passenger information display to highlight when the next train/s are due.
Given the unmanned nature of the station, there is no way of knowing when the next train will arrive or if it is running late.
Pyrenees Shire Chief Executive Officer Jim Nolan said extra security at the station would be welcome.
“Community safety is always a priority for council. Additional community safety measures at public facilities, like the Beaufort Station, would be very welcome,” Mr Nolan said.
“CCTV systems are important for commuter safety and would be a valued addition to the station precinct.”
On Friday, a number of local residents gathered to express their frustration at the lack of facilities and a number commented on the need for MYKI to be available as well.
Travellers cannot purchase a ticket at the station instead having to go around the corner to the newsagency.
The ticket sale process is viewed as an inconvenient option for many or for visitors to the area.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said security at the station is a genuine issue.
“I have spoken directly to the Minister for Public Transport about this issue and will continue to advocate for the improvements needed at the station. Beaufort commuters deserve improved amenities, as well as improvements for Art Trax Gallery volunteers and visitors,” Ms Haylett said.
At the time of finalising this article, two hundred people had signed the petition.
If you would like to sign the petition in support of this matter, you can do so at Beaufort News and Tatts, 66-68 Neill Street, Beaufort.