In April, the entire town was at a standstill after the news of Layla’s accident broke.
On her ride home from school, the girl’s front tyre was just centimetres too close to the rail tracks as she was waiting at the Bank St pedestrian crossing for a freight train to pass.
Layla’s front tyre was hit, flipping her into the side of the train and throwing her body 15 metres down the track.
The 10-year-old survived, but she was seriously injured.
Months after the incident, the Avenel community came together at Harvest Home to call on the Victorian Government to invest in the safety of the township.
The rally, held on Saturday, November 29, saw members of advocacy group Avenel Active, Strathbogie Shire councillors, and state and federal government representatives gather opposite the site of the accident.
Recently elected mayor Scott Jeffery said the rally was more than a political issue.
“Today is about the safety of our kids, our families, our friends and our neighbours,” he said.
“Everyone here knows how close we came to tragedy this year, and everyone knows that rail safety in this car park and intersection have been a conversation in this community for a very long time.
“... The conversations aren’t enough any more, it’s well past time for action. We’ve drafted a precinct master plan, and are calling on the state government to commit the $3.1 million needed to make our rail precinct safe.”
John Hyland of Avenel Active, a group that has advocated for the safety upgrades of the pedestrian crossing and surrounding car park since 2021, said not only was the area between Saleyard Rd and the railway line “an ugly and unpleasant introduction to the northern parts of the township”, it was dangerous.
“There is no safe passage between Saleyard Rd and the town centre. Pedestrians are faced with traversing the unpaved, uneven potholed ballast or using Bank St and sharing a road with vehicles travelling up to 60km/h,” he said.
“... Does it require a fatality to generate safety upgrades? It’s just not good enough.”
With this being one of council’s top advocacy priorities, the community will continue to call on the Victorian Government to invest $3.1 million for upgrades such as pedestrian gates at the Bank St crossing, a pedestrian crossing at the rail intersection at Ewings Rd, and safety fencing along the rail line within the township.
Working alongside Avenel Active and council, state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland pledged to continue the fight for the “small” but “mighty” town.
“My commitment to you today is simple. I will not stop. I will not ease up. I will not let this slide,” she said.
“Not until this crossing is safe, station access works for everyone, and this town’s design finally matches the strength of its people.
“Layla’s story must be the last warning we ever need. Avenel deserves better, and together, we will get it.”
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