At last month’s council meeting a resolution was passed to instruct the shire’s chief executive officer to write to Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan, requesting the loop be kept open and the possibility of a transport hub at the former Wallace Station be explored.  

Among the upgrades set for the Ballarat line is a new, shorter four-kilometre loop at Spreadeagle, which will replace the larger Bungaree loop.  

Moorabool councillor Tom Sullivan, who moved the resolution, said a transport hub at Wallace would provide an easily accessible option for the east of Ballarat given its location along the Western Freeway.  Trains have not stopped at the Wallace Station since 1969.  

“One of the problems that exists in expansion around existing rail stations is you’ve got no parking, so logistically getting through to these stations is becoming increasingly difficult,” Cr Sullivan said.  “Once you close off these options they’re done forever, so there’s no point ruing the day 10 years down the track.” 

The call comes as the Ballarat Station prepares for a massive overhaul, with parking a primary focus.  In Tuesday’s state budget extra funds were allocated to secure a third level for the station’s new multi-storey car park. 

The Ballarat line upgrade, which is being run by Melbourne Metro Rail, went out to tender earlier this year.   The removal of the Bungaree loop will also make it possible to remove five level crossings.  

While the land which the loop lies on will remain under VicTrack control once the line is closed, it remains to be seen whether it will be sold in the future.   

Public Transport Users Association Ballarat convener Ben Lever said while the Wallace project was not currently a viable option, the loop should remain in tact to keep the opportunity open for future additions to the line.   

“I think it makes sense to keep the rail reservation there but at the moment it also makes sense to build the shorter route,” Mr Lever said.  

In a statement Ms Allan said the government would not consider keeping the Bungaree loop open, saying "the new passing loop we're building will provide a quicker, more direct route for Ballarat line trains”.