Rockhampton Railway Station upgrades to include new customer lounge and disability access

The Rockhampton Railway Station was built in the 1970s and it was announced last year there would be some major upgrades, but all hasn’t gone to plan. Here’s the latest.

The Queensland Government announced in June last year that the Rockhampton Railway Station would be getting an overhaul – so what has happened to the project?

Queensland Rail, which is owned by the government and is the operator of Rockhampton Railway Station, has confirmed the project is still going ahead, albeit delayed due to the current impacts on the construction industry.

An artist's impression of the planned upgrade to Rockhampton's train station.

An artist‘s impression of the planned upgrade to Rockhampton’s train station.

Tenders for construction were originally due to be called in early 2022, however this likely won’t happen now until next year.

Queensland Rail Head of Regional Jim Benstead said an industry briefing was planned for early 2023 and he didn’t confirm when construction would start.

“Project time frames will be developed and refined as planning for the Rockhampton station upgrade progresses,” Mr Benstead said.

“Queensland Rail will keep the Rockhampton community and customers informed as this important program gets underway.”

Mr Benstead said QR had started concept design in collaboration with the wider Rockhampton community, First Nations, disability groups and local transport and tourism operators.

The Rockhampton station upgrade is part of a Queensland Government $51 million Regional Station Upgrade program, which includes Cairns, Townsville, Maryborough West and Bundaberg stations.

The Rockhampton upgrade will include a refurbished station precinct with a new air-conditioned customer lounge with improved customer seating, breakout areas with device charging stations, an integrated travel centre and luggage check-in facility.

The work will also focus on making the station more accessible, including tactile ground indicators, handrails, variable desk height at the Travel Centre desks, new accessible toilets, and accessible carparking.

There will also be a drop-off zone for public transport providers for connections to Yeppoon and other areas.

ROCKHAMPTON RAILWAY STATION HISTORY

Stanley Street Railway Station in Rockhampton during the 1918 Fitzroy River flood. Photo: Courtesy The State Library of Queensland.

Rockhampton Railway Station 1878. Photo: Contributed

Construction of Rockhampton’s first railway line began in 1865 and opened in 1867, connecting to Westwood, and extensions to the lines were constructed over the following years.

A two-storey iron station and goods sheds was built at the terminal on Stanley Street.

This original building was demolished in 1973 and the current one was built.

A rail administration building was built in 1886, at the corner of Denison Street and Stanley Street, which is now the Denison Boutique Hotel.

The current railway administration building was opened in 1982, adjacent to the station.