Shire goes full steam ahead for extra Maryborough trains

Published on 26 February 2026

Central Goldfields Shire Council is advocating to the Victorian Government for additional trains between Maryborough and Ballarat on weekdays.

The Council is requesting five trains a day compared with two currently.

Mayor Ben Green said this would help the Shire’s most disadvantaged residents to more easily access important services in Ballarat and Melbourne.

“The current limited service of two trains a day on weekdays has not provided the necessary frequency for reliable commuting, convenience, and accessibility,” the Mayor said.

“Council believes the service frequency should be increased to ensure Maryborough residents can travel to and from Ballarat more easily for study, work, and appointments.

“Increased frequency would also enable residents of Clunes and Talbot to make similar trips to either Ballarat or Maryborough with greater convenience.

“We also support efforts to reinstate passenger rail services between Maryborough and Mildura, which would help Dunolly residents with connectivity to Maryborough, Ballarat and Melbourne.

“Additional train services on the Maryborough-Ballarat line will drive the engine of social and economic change, improve social equity, and enable population growth to help achieve the state’s housing targets.”

Deputy Mayor Anna de Villiers said the Central Goldfields community appreciates that some passenger rail services were reinstated in 2010 after a 17-year absence, but more frequent trains were needed.

“The return of passenger rail also helped to activate the historic Maryborough Station precinct and boost tourism in the area,” she said.

“The interpretive centre at the iconic Maryborough Station is now being used to support the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage bid.”

A 2024 Rail Futures Institute Report identified that as a “trans-regional” service, there should be at least 3-4 trains per day between Maryborough and Ballarat.

The State Government’s 2016 Regional Network Development Plan also acknowledged community support for additional trains.

Central Goldfields Shire Council will release its 2026 State Election advocacy document in the next few weeks.