Community activist group Avenel Active, in partnership with Strathbogie Shire Council, is advocating for urgent upgrades.
Chair Julie Dobble said the community had spent years calling for improvements and was frustrated by the lack of progress.
“Avenel isn’t asking for anything extraordinary. Our community is asking for the same level of safety infrastructure that has already been delivered in many other regional towns,” Ms Dobble said.
In April 2025, the dangers of the Bank St crossing became clear when a primary school student was seriously injured after the front wheel of her bicycle became caught by a passing freight train while she was waiting to cross.
“More than a year has passed since a young girl was seriously injured at the Bank St crossing, yet we’re still waiting for a commitment for permanent safety upgrades,” Ms Dobble said.
Avenel is home to one of only four of the 22 main V/Line stations between Melbourne and Albury without an underpass or locking pedestrian gates.
It is also one of three towns where the rail line splits the only pedestrian link between the town centre and residential areas, requiring many residents to cross the tracks each day to access schools, shops and community facilities.
Despite multiple passenger and freight trains passing through the township every day, there is no effective physical separation between pedestrians and passing trains at either the Bank St or Ewings Rd crossings.
Safety concerns are expected to grow as Avenel expands, with 212 new lots approved and a childcare centre set to significantly increase the number of pedestrians using the town's rail crossings.
“As Avenel continues to grow, the need for action is becoming more urgent,” Ms Dobble said.
“Our residents have completed surveys, written to ministers, worked with local members of parliament, held community rallies and shared their story on national television.
“We’ve done everything we can to highlight the risks. It’s time for that advocacy to be matched with action.”
Strathbogie Shire Council chief executive Rachelle Quattrocchi said council would continue to support the community’s advocacy and urged the Victorian Government to prioritise the upgrades.
“While major rail safety investments have transformed communities across Victoria, Avenel continues to wait,” Ms Quattrocchi said.
“Everyone has a responsibility to stay safe around rail, but governments also have a responsibility to provide infrastructure that helps protect communities.
“Council will continue standing alongside the Avenel Active community group in advocating for the upgrades needed to make Avenel’s rail precinct safer for everyone.”
As part of National Rail Safety Week, council is joining organisations across Australia and New Zealand in encouraging everyone to stay alert around rail crossings and always obey signs and signals.
