If elected following the November state election, the Coalition’s commitment would see automatic gates, improved disability access and new footpaths installed at the rail crossings.
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the community had been raising concerns about the crossings for years, with a serious accident involving a primary school student last year highlighting the need for action.
In April 2025, the student was riding home from school when her bike’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.
The front tyre was hit, flipping the student into the side of the train and throwing their body 15 metres down the track.
The student survived, but was seriously injured.
“This is something the Avenel community has been asking for and they have been right to keep pushing,” Ms Cleeland said.
“People should be able to walk through their own town without worrying about whether they will make it safely across a railway crossing.
“The community has advocated, council has advocated, and after a serious accident the need for action could not be clearer. Now there is a commitment to actually fix it.”
Ms Cleeland said the upgrades would deliver practical improvements for pedestrians, including children, older residents and people living with disability.
“Automatic gates, proper footpaths and accessible crossings are basic safety infrastructure,” she said.
“Avenel deserves crossings that are safe, accessible and fit for the community that uses them every day.
“This is about listening to the people who have been raising this issue and getting on with the job.”
Victorian Nationals leader Danny O’Brien said the funding commitment was part of the Coalition’s promised Fair Share Guarantee, which proposes using 25 per cent of the state’s infrastructure investment for regional Victoria.
“Avenel should not have to compete with Melbourne for every dollar of infrastructure investment,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Regional Victoria deserves its fair share, and this commitment is about backing the Avenel community’s safety and investing in the future of this town.”
