MEMBER for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan has assured the Bendigo VRI Bowling Club that she will “minimise any impact” on the club from the construction of a second pedestrian overpass at the Bendigo Railway Station.
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The club raised concerns that a proposed disability access ramp would take away their car park and several metres from their second green, making it impossible to keep the club open for its 63 members.
Their concerns were based on an early potential design option for the overpass.
Ms Allan, also the state’s public transport minister, said they would continue to consult with the community in designing the overpass – and the bowling club could rest assured there would be minimal impacts on its activities.
“The final designs are currently being finalised – but I can assure the VRI we are working to minimise any impact on them from this upgrade,” she said.
“The design will provide access between the platforms for people with disability, respect the heritage of the station and taking into account the requirements of community members such as the Bendigo VRI.
“This project provides a great opportunity for our local community – and we will continue to consult along the way.”
Revised plans are expected to be released before Christmas as part of the tender process.
Ramps and double capacity lifts are required on both sides of the platform to meet new disability access standards for public transport in Victoria.
VicTrack has been working with the City of Greater Bendigo and V/Line to develop the plans.
A spokesperson for Ms Allan said the Bendigo VRI Bowling Club would be consulted during the “ongoing design and construction process” for the project.
Club president Don Robertson said they were pleased to hear the reassurance.
“At the moment things seem OK, but this is what they weren’t doing in the first place,” he said.
“I’ve now got confidence that nothing bad will happen because they know we have people behind us.
“They know we’re in for the hard slog.”
The Bendigo Victorian Railways Institute Bowling Club has been at the site for 51 years and is based in the 140-year-old stationmaster’s residence.