General News
17 April, 2026
Pressure leads to train backflip
THE timing of maintenance and upgrade works on the Warrnambool train line during April and May has been altered to allow for passengers during the May Racing Carnival.
While the works were previously scheduled to take place during the three-day carnival, the state government recently reversed its decision after the issue was raised in parliament by Member for South West Coast, Roma Britnell.
However, Ms Britnell said the government’s latest rail announcement was yet another example of how disconnected the state government has become from regional communities and the major events that sustain them.
“Originally, the government had planned for these works to take place across the three days of the carnival, which was just absurd,” she said.
“And while the decision to temporarily stop those works to allow people to take the train during that time was a positive step, the government’s decision to do so on only those three days just does not make sense.”
She claims the government had no discussions with either herself or the event organisers – and no attempt to understand how the event (carnival) operates.
Instead, the government has committed to running trains only on the three race days; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - a decision that ignores the fundamental reality of how patrons travel.
“This racing carnival is not a suburban commute; visitors don’t travel in and out on the day,” she said.
“They arrive from across Victoria and interstate over the weekend before the carnival and stay until the days after it concludes.
“By scheduling trains only on the three race days, the government has created a service that is effectively useless to the very people it claims to support.
“This outcome could have been avoided with a single conversation with those who understand the event. Instead, the decision highlights a broader pattern: major calls about regional events being made without grasping the basics.”
According to Ms Britnell, the solution is obvious.
“Rail services must run when people actually travel, on the weekend before, and up to and including the weekend after the carnival - anything less is not just impractical,” she said.
“It reinforces concerns that the government is increasingly out of touch with the communities and events it is meant to serve.”
The disruptions on the Warrnambool line during April and May for maintenance and upgrade works will see coaches replace trains between Warrnambool and Wyndham Vale up until Friday, April 24.
The disruption will continue from Saturday, April 25 until Monday, May 4 between Warrnambool and Waurn Ponds.
A final interruption period with coaches replacing trains will occur between Warrnambool and Waurn Ponds from Friday, May 8 to Wednesday, May 20.
The disruptions are to allow a number of projects to be completed along the line.
This includes a new stabling facility at Warrnambool station, level crossing upgrades between Winchelsea and Allansford, replacement of tactile ground surface indicators on platforms at the Winchelsea and Colac stations. and works on the Hopkins River bridge.
Passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys during the disruption periods.
