{"id":157743,"date":"2024-12-14T08:12:06","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T22:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=157743"},"modified":"2024-12-14T08:12:07","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T22:12:07","slug":"regional-towns-set-to-boom-with-victorias-rail-revival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=157743","title":{"rendered":"Regional towns set to boom with Victoria’s rail revival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Upgrading all regional rail lines in Victoria to improve travel reliability to Melbourne could make regional areas more appealing to live in<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Victoria\u2019s regional rail revival is tipped to drive growth in provincial centres, as homebuyers shun capital cities for cheaper homes and more relaxed lifestyles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the $4 billion boost, every regional passenger train line has been upgraded to make services more frequent and reliable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The question still remains on how reliable the train services are and they are not. Overcrowding, poor rolling stock planning<\/a> and poor on time running is a deterrent from moving to a regional centre. This is a shame because regional Victoria has so much to offer.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

According to REA Group senior economist Paul Ryan, infrastructure is a \u201chuge deal\u201d for local communities, and improved train links to Melbourne will help lure people to the regions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the impact of the rail upgrades is hard to quantify, the availability of quality transport links, as well as schools, hospitals and natural features affect how people perceive the region as a place to live, Mr Ryan said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese things are difficult to translate in terms of dollar figures, but the work that has been done seems to suggest amenities and transport links do translate into higher home prices,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the engines are running, Victoria is also full steam ahead with plans to supply 800,000 new homes<\/a> in the next decade – with over 1300 of those built in regional Victoria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It comes as regional Victorian house prices dipped 2.1% over the past year, with the typical house price just under $600,000, realestate.com.au data shows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe’re still seeing strong demand in places like Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong. Affordability-led population growth is still really strong,\u201d Mr Ryan said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ballarat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ballarat’s year-on-year growth in house value has dipped by 6.67%, with a current median house value of $545,696.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite that, buyers are drawn to the area for its schools, government jobs, health facilities and vibrant food and cultural scene.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Alluvium is only a one-hour train journey from Melbourne’s CBD, thanks to the Ballarat Line upgrade. Picture: realestate.com.au\/buy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt’s a good combination of inner city living to a point, and it still has that regional feeling too,\u201d said Jellis Craig Ballarat general manager, Lachlain Ramsay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While new housing has popped up in suburbs including Lucas, Winter Valley and Alfredton, buying closer to the centre offers the benefit of being able to walk to the train station.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a big drawcard for people,\u201d Mr Ramsay said, adding if rail services make the commute Melbourne easier, it would lure more people to the region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One upcoming development is Mondous\u2019 Alluvium<\/a>, a land estate offering lots and house and land packages in Winter Valley from $255,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These estates are developing on the South Western area of Ballarat where there are no trains services. A disused rail line passes right next to the housing estates however there are no plans to prelay 10kms of track on an existing easement to permit better transport services in the area and bus services remain substandard.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Only 6km from Ballarat\u2019s central and an hour\u2019s train journey into Melbourne\u2019s CBD thanks to the Ballarat Line upgrade, the estate has over four hectares of wetland parks and pathways and a future onsite shopping centre coming in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bendigo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Year-on-year growth is down 1.7% in Bendigo with a current house median value of $598,720.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belle Property Bendigo director, Tim Noonan, has witnessed several buyers from the pricier Melbourne and Sydney markets sell up and move to Bendigo, charmed by the goldfield city\u2019s restaurants, arts and sporting focus. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Located close to Bendigo’s train station, Imagine offers land as well as house and land packages. Picture: realestate.com.au\/buy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAny time saving (from the rail upgrade) would obviously increase that push for people to relocate and then be able to easily work in the Melbourne CBD,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growth areas for new homes include Quarry Hills, Marong and Strathfieldsaye, although \u201cbuild costs are still out of whack\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can buy an existing home much cheaper than you could build a new home of similar quality,\u201d Mr Noonan said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only a few minutes\u2019 drive to Bendigo\u2019s train station is Imagine<\/a> by Villawood Properties, a land estate offering land from $235,200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The estate is nestled between Strathfieldsaye village and Lake Eppalock, with easy accesss to schools, sports facilities and town centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Development heading in the direction of no rail services. Time to reconsider the relaying of the Heathcote line to Longlea Railway Station and encourage development around the station area which is just north of the two main developments proposed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Geelong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Geelong has seen a 2.45% decrease in year-on-year growth with a house median value of $757,995.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buxton Newton director, Tom Butters, said new train services will be \u201chugely beneficial\u201d for the region, especially if wifi is available on board so people can work during their commute.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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Harriott is close to Marshall and Geelong station, providing connections to both Geelong and Torquay CBDs. Picture: realestate.com.au\/buy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt’s only 55 minutes to an hour on the train, door-to-door to Southern Cross, so for many people, it’s really an accessible and affordable option to move here.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The family-friendly lifestyle draws people to the region, which is undergoing new housing development in growth suburbs such as Armstrong Creek, Charlemont and Fyansford, all of which are accessible to the train station.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where is the proposed rail line to Armstrong Creek in the development cycle? This is a very important development and is required to address the 10,000’s of homes being built on that corridor. Again we are seeing a slow response to the government on rail and transport planning. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can buy with a backyard, it\u2019s got great schools and close to the coast. We don’t have anyone coming down the highway from Melbourne who then decides to move back,\u201d Mr Butters said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jinding\u2019s Harriott<\/a> is a land estate located in Armstrong Creek selling land, house and land packages and townhomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The estate is located close to Marshall and Geelong station, providing connections to both Geelong and Torquay CBDs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every home within the estate is located within 200m of green space, which includes more than two hectares of space dedicated to parks and walking paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepparton<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shepparton has seen a 0.14% decrease in year-on-year growth, with a current house median value of $498,610.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rail upgrades will draw more people to the area, according to Gagliardi Scott Real Estate director Gerald Sabri.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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Uptown is close to Shepparton train station and Goulburn Valley and Midland Highway, making travel easy. Picture: realestate.com.au\/buy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He points to the new local facility built to house modern VLocity trains, saying it has already had a \u201cmassive impact\u201d on the community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The region\u2019s industries, schools and sporting opportunities are luring people, as well as the central location: \u201cYou\u2019re only two hours to Melbourne, and it\u2019s an easy drive to Sydney.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Sabri said Shepparton offered affordability for homebuyers, with decent-sized blocks in estates going for under $300,000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New estates in the north like The Vines and Providence Place offer buyers room to move, while in the south others are coveting the tree-lined streets of Edgewater and Sanctuary Park estates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DM Property\u2019s Uptown<\/a> is another land estate offering land from $229,000, with land sizes ranging from 350sqm to 1080sqm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The estate has easy access to Shepparton train station and major highways such as the Goulburn Valley and Midland Highway, making it easy to get around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also ten minutes from Shepparton\u2019s city centre, giving residents access to education, retail, health and sports and recreation centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Important to now look at a railway station again at Congupna just east of the new housing developments and north of Shepparton. It might also be useful to create a railway station 1\/2 way between there and Shepparton.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Warrnambool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With a 1.71% decrease in year-on-year growth, Warrnambool’s current median house value is $530,433. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Danny Harris from Harris & Wood Warrnambool is unsure what benefits the rail upgrade will bring, but said if the three-and-a-half hour train journey from Melbourne was made faster, more people would move to the region. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Only a 10 minute drive from Warrnambool train station, Plaza Heights Estate offers easy access to transport. Picture: realestate.com.au\/buy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mr Harris said the mix of jobs, health and education facilities are highlights of the Great Ocean Road\u2019s largest city. New housing opportunities with sea and hinterland views are also available at Hopkins Heights, the \u201clargest development certainly in a generation”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWarrnambool\u2019s got a lot of things going for it that cities an hour-and-a-half from Melbourne don\u2019t. But they have the ability to access the city within an hour or two – we don\u2019t. If that changed, it would have a massive effect on our population growth.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Offering 75 blocks of land from 465sqm to 1044sqm, Plaza Heights Estate<\/a> is a 10 minute drive from Warrnambool train station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prices start from $205,000, with the estate located close to Gateway Plaza Shopping Centre, the beach and Hopkins River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

realestate.com.au<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Under the $4 billion boost, every regional passenger train line has been upgraded to make services more frequent and reliable.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":152558,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47,186],"tags":[4239,10852,993,13133,8,9949],"class_list":["post-157743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rail-news","category-v-line","tag-ballarat","tag-bendigo","tag-melbourne","tag-shepparton","tag-victoria","tag-warrnambool"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=157743"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":157756,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157743\/revisions\/157756"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/152558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=157743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=157743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=157743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}