Railway Plaza
Background
In 2008, Council completed the Victor Harbor - Railway Precinct plan, offering a vision and strategic planning direction for the town centre’s Railway Precinct area. Incorporating the creation of McLaren Lane in 2012 and the Railway Turntable site revitalisation in 2018, Railway Terrace is the next stage to be constructed.
In early 2019, landscape architecture consultancy, Oxigen, completed a comprehensive consultation phase with immediately affected property owners, relevant Council Committees, the general public and key stakeholders on the Railway Terrace Stormwater and Urban Design Project. Based on this feedback concept plans were prepared.
In June 2020, Council received financial support from the State Government's Places for People grant and construction works began in early 2021.
The transformation of Railway Plaza
SGP Civil, a South Australian construction company, delivered the Railway Plaza Precinct project in 2021.
Various works were carried out as part of the project, including installation of new paving, feature lighting, garden beds, street furniture, landscaping and public art.
The revitalised Railway Plaza Precinct offers a contemporary and versatile public space that is appropriate for general community use and events.
The modern streetscape design celebrates the existing Moreton Bay fig trees and showcases Victor Harbor's cherished heritage buildings. The revitalised space within the town centre also now offers a vibrant welcome to visitors who have arrived at Victor Harbor on the Cockle Train.
During events such as the Fringe Festival and WhaleFest, the community was able to see the Precinct transform and thrive with an abundance of market stalls, vibrant entertainment and family-friendly activities.
Public art
The City of Victor Harbor commissioned a public art feature from local artist Matt Turley to be installed during the Railway Plaza development. Turley drew inspiration from his perception of the steam locomotive as a myriad of unique parts coming together to work in harmony.
Titled Connection, the work explores the notion of individual entities, unique in their own design and purpose, coming together, and connecting, to create something greater. It forms a sense of place, while remaining true to the history that inspired its design.
