Junction Square claimed an award of excellence in the civic landscape category at the state presentation of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

Developed by Wodonga Council, Aspect Studios and Places Victoria, the former railway station site became the council’s first success in the Victorian Landscape Architecture Awards.

The national prize ceremony will be held later this year.

In the award citation, the entire Junction Place precinct was described as an example of clever investment influenced by a strategic urban design analysis.

“Utilising remnants from the site’s previous railway use in a creative way enriches the experience of place,” it said.

Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie said the council was delighted to receive such acknowledgement.

“When we planned it, we were conscious we wanted to retain or pay homage to the history of the place,” she told The Border Mail.

“You’re down there at night and the lights are just beautiful and they mimic where the rail line used to go.

“You have the gantries that reflect the history as well as the maintenance of the station and the goods shed.

“So they become a really fantastic anchor for a public space.”

Places Victoria general manager precincts Simon Wilson said the award recognised its importance to the community.

“Wodonga’s Junction Place is an exciting urban renewal project which will breathe new life into the existing historic Wodonga railway station and rail yards,” he said.

Cr Speedie said people had embraced Junction Square and The Promenade.

“They love being there, they keep telling us that,” she said. “This is really just the start of a huge area that really creates a new precinct in our CBD.”

Cr Speedie said the landscape architecture award affirmed the transformation presently under way in central Wodonga.

“The project in time will double the size of Wodonga’s existing CBD and will continue to bring new life into the heart of the city centre,” she said.