THE Wangaratta Railway Precinct project has taken out two state awards, offering a “new benchmark” in regional Victorian transport hub design.

Announced at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Victorian State Awards on Friday night, the jury of award selectors honoured four projects with Regional Achievement Awards, out of a total of 23 entries in the category.

The Wangaratta Railway Precinct project by architecture firm Hassell Studio won a Regional Achievement award and a Landscape Architecture award in the Civic Landscape category.

Hassell worked closely with the Rural City of Wangaratta and local community to design the Wangaratta Railway precinct to revitalise the experience of the rural city’s main transport hub.

The $8.4 million works included streetscape upgrades of Cusack, Docker and Norton streets, new plantings throughout the precinct, creating shaded, cooler areas, new bus shelters in Norton and Docker streets and public art installations, including a makeover for the Norton Street water tower.

Acting mayor Cr Harry Bussell said council was thrilled to receive the high level of recognition.

‘’The aim behind the design project was to activate the railway precinct and create a vibrant, engaging and welcoming gateway to Wangaratta and we are proud to see that being acknowledged in the Civic Landscape category,’’ he said.

‘’Wangaratta is just two and half hours on the train from metropolitan Melbourne and we encourage visitors to jump on the train for a weekend getaway, to get a taste of how this precinct has changed the face of Wangaratta, experience what makes Wangaratta great and see what the beautiful North East region has to offer.’’

The awards jury said the project represented a significant investment in civic quality, climate sensitivity and urban amenity.

“It offers a radical departure from the conventional treatment of transport hubs in Victoria’s regional centres, a new benchmark,” they said.

“This project enriches the urban experience and contributes to Wangaratta’s identity through a verdant, layered and fine-grained landscape, spaces for access, events and respite, and improved legibility.”

There was a total of four Regional Achievement award winners on the night, with winners at the state awards level proceeding to the National Landscape Architecture Awards held later this year.