Council has recently appointed three new members to the Mansfield Station Precinct Stakeholder Group following the confirmation of federal government funding for this important project. The stakeholder group provides a community voice to guide the precinct’s redevelopment and help ensure it responds to community needs, with Emma Wiking (Community Bank Mansfield & District), Matthew Empey (Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club) and Samantha Orb (community representative) coming on-board. They join existing members Aunty Bernadette Franklin and Aunty Angela Ten Buuren, both Taungurung elders, the Mansfield Historical Society's Graeme Stoney and Jenny Delaforce, Dr Will Twycross representing the Mansfield Cultural Heritage & Arts Committee, Ross Vaughan from Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, along with Felicity Hayward of Arts Mansfield. The new members bring complementary skills, local knowledge and a strong commitment to the development of the Station Precinct for the benefit of the broader Mansfield Shire community. Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said the stakeholder group would play an important part in delivering on the precinct masterplan. “I’ve really enjoyed meeting with the stakeholder group members and seeing our community stakeholders work together to help transform the Mansfield Station Precinct,” he said. "The precinct is a very high priority for council. "We’re grateful to have secured funding from the Australian Government and we’re excited to move forward and deliver the many planned projects." Council successfully applied for $14.1 million in funding, as part of the Australian Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program with the precinct a long-held community vision. Including a range of cultural, recreational and heritage projects, the precinct aims to be a welcoming public space for locals and visitors that honours the region’s rich history. The Mansfield Station Precinct Package includes many component projects. As each project progresses, designs will be made available for broader community feedback. Cultural and heritage projects: • Museum (fitout and exhibit): Completing the Mansfield Heritage Museum with a custom fit-out to showcase Mansfield’s stories. • Goods Shed and Fertiliser Shed refurbishment: Preserving the precinct’s unique history through the restoration of these historic buildings. • Railway infrastructure restoration: Including restoration of the historic platform. • Taungurung Art Track: A significant cultural trail to honour and share local Indigenous heritage. Recreation and family-friendly features: • All-abilities playground and changing places facility: Creating an inclusive play space and modern facilities to support people with high physical needs. • Pump track: Delivering a new recreational opportunity for adventure seekers at the head of the Great Victorian Rail Trail. • Fenced dog park: Providing a dedicated, safe space for pets and their owners. Access and infrastructure upgrades: • Carparking: Major upgrades to the Visitor Information Centre carpark and construction of new carparks for Withers Lane and Kitchen Street. • Roads and pathways: Sealing of existing internal roads, creation of new disabled parking spaces, and a precinct-wide shared pathway network to improve connectivity. • Landscaping and amenities: Extensive landscaping including irrigation, solar lighting, a new platform toilet, and outdoor furniture. • Mullum Wetlands rejuvenation: A key environmental project to revitalise the important wetland area. • Station precinct branding: Creating a distinctive and cohesive identity for the entire precinct. The complete Station Precinct Masterplan can be viewed on council's website.
