An online feedback portal will open on July 3 to allow the community to have a say.
However, Better Benalla Rail member David Moore said unless it includes an option to save the structure completely, results will not be indicative of the community’s preferred outcome.
Ed Walker, Inland Rail Program Delivery Director B2A said a Heritage Interpretation Plan has been developed to highlight a range of interpretation options for the signal hut and the community is encouraged to have their say.
“We understand the community is passionate about the Benalla Railway Station precinct, which is why we’re seeking community feedback on the interpretation options for the signal hut,” Mr Walker said.
“I encourage the local community to participate in the survey and share their thoughts and ideas.”
BBR had secured an interim protection order on the 1888 structure.
However, Heritage Victoria declined to make that order permanent for a range of reasons.
It stated that the signal box is not of state-level cultural heritage significance and should not be included in the Victorian Heritage Register.
One of the main reasons being that it was not sufficiently unique.
Mr Moore said BBR had not given up the fight to save it, and was now relying on convincing Victorian Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny to not approve the demolition.
“I am of the opinion this survey will be an attempt to divide the community,” he said.
“I think they’ll suggest putting a few bits and pieces of it in a display case somewhere.
“And that will somehow preserve our rail history. Maybe I’m a sceptic, but all the evidence I get is that the signal box is of great historical significance to Benalla.
“We saw only last weekend a historic train stopped in Benalla and 200 people bought lunch and spent their money here.
“People value our rail history.”
Inland Rail will capture community feedback on the Heritage Interpretation Plan through the online survey, which will run from July 3 to July 31.
The results of the survey will be shared with the community and passed onto its contractor to be considered in the next stage of precinct design.
The survey will go live on July 3 and can be accessed via inlandrail.com.au/where-we-go/projects/beveridge-to-albury/regions/north-east-victoria/benalla-signal-hut-interpretation-plan/
