Translink welcomes Australian Minister to Belfast Grand Central Station

Translink has welcomed the Minister for Transport Infrastructure in the Australian State of Victoria, Gabrielle Williams MP, accompanied a delegation from the Irish-Australian Chamber of Commerce, on a visit to Belfast Grand Central Station to learn more about this major project. A meeting also took place with Liz Kimmins MLA, Minister for Infrastructure. 

Belfast Grand Central Station is a game-changing infrastructure project that sets a new benchmark for sustainable, inclusive, and future-proofed transport hubs across the world.  It is the largest multi-modal transport hub on the island of Ireland, providing capacity for up to 20 million passenger journeys, and helping to decarbonise public transport in Northern Ireland.

The Australian Minister, plus the Irish-Australian Chamber of Commerce delegates, were greeted by Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway and members of the Senior Leadership Team and given a guided tour and briefing on the station.   

Liz Kimmins MLA, Minister for Infrastructure, said: ‘‘The opening of the flagship Belfast Grand Central Station last year marked the beginning of a new era for public transport, facilitating better connectivity in Belfast, across the north, and the island of Ireland.  The iconic building signals our intent in relation to our climate commitments and our focus on transport decarbonisation, as reflected in my Department’s Foundations for a Better Future, which underpins the work DfI is doing today, to shape a better tomorrow. 

‘‘We are proud as a Department to showcase Ireland’s largest integrated transport hub to our Australian guests as an example of the transformation infrastructure can bring.

‘‘I remain committed to focusing on the delivery of positive change for people, the economy, and the environment.’’

Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, said: ‘‘We have been delighted to welcome Minister Williams to Belfast Grand Central Station as our latest international guest to visit this transformational transport facility.

‘‘Translink has been proud to showcase this major strategic transport hub, helping to share experience and best practice as governments and agencies on every continent develop future transport plans to achieve modal shift and deliver a better connected society. 

‘‘We look forward to building on these relations with our Australian counterparts and with other international guests in the period ahead.’’  

Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Transport Infrastructure in the State Government of Victoria, Australia, said: ‘Along with a delegation from the Irish-Australian Chamber of Commerce, I was delighted to see Belfast Grand Central Station on my latest visit to Belfast.

‘‘The station represents the benefit that investment in transport infrastructure can bring to city and regional economies, something we are aware of in Victoria as the Big Build, our delivery of 180 major road and rail projects, gathers pace.

‘‘I look forward to continuing to build relationships with Translink and the Department for Infrastructure as we both embark upon city-shaping projects that better connect communities.