Council & Business
4 July, 2022
Stage two plans for Maryborough Railway Station activation project underway
Central Goldfields Shire Council has lodged an application with Heritage Victoria for a series of upgrades to the Maryborough Railway Station — including a proposed glazed enclosure to run along the platform — with submissions on the proposed...
Central Goldfields Shire Council has lodged an application with Heritage Victoria for a series of upgrades to the Maryborough Railway Station — including a proposed glazed enclosure to run along the platform — with submissions on the proposed plans now open for public feedback.
The application is part of the Maryborough Railway Station Activation Project, one of council’s priority projects.
Stage one of the project saw the Tourist Information Centre moved to the railway station and co-working spaces created, before the project then received $1.8 million in State Government funding for stage two, with council contributing $200,000.
Council has now lodged an application to Heritage Victoria to get the ball rolling on stage two, with submitted plans including a refurbishment of the information centre’s interior along with new entry doors from the platform, upgrades to the co-working spaces, the provision of artist studio spaces including for talks, exhibitions, classes and an artist hub, a sculpture garden, along with other refurbishment and upgrade works.
Central Goldfields Shire Council acting manager strategy and economic development David Leathem said there’s many exciting elements to come in stage two once permits are received.
“As the station is a heritage listed building we need to get a permit for all the works and designs we’ve currently got to activate the station further,” he said.
“We’re expecting to hear back in the coming month. Once we get the permit back, we’ll be looking to begin works in the next couple of months, all going well.
“We’re looking forward to upgrading the interior of the information centre, but also develop some interpretive technology and signage to help the visitor experience. From the point of view for visitors and locals, to come and see some of our heritage broughtto life will be really exciting.
“The creation of artist studios is also really exciting. We’re really trying to bring the station alive as a hub for visitors and the community across the week. We’re also looking at adding a sculpture garden to that end, really creating a place to come and spend some time.”
As part of the plans lodged with Heritage Victoria, an external glazed enclosure has also been proposed to run along the platform between the cafe and information centre to provide protection against the elements, and to provide a heated or cooled space when required with the potential to host temporary exhibitions.
The enclosure is unlikely to be installed as part of the stage two works but Mr Leathem said putting the application in now will help future stages.
“To develop the station for the community while it’s also a working railway station is a challenge,” he said.
“The idea of the glass enclosure portends to future developments, it’s not necessarily going to be funded in stage two, but we thought we’d put it in for approval now so if we get it, once we’re ready to go it won’t slow down our progress for further stages.
“It has been a challenge, seeing what we can do to add to the station’s activation, but primarily respecting the heritage of the building.
“We’ve gone for glass so you can still see the platform and the features. It was seen as the least intrusive way we could provide some greater comfort to both information centre and cafe patrons as a wind break and climate controlled conditions.
“We want to minimise any obstructions to the views and what the platform is.”
Submissions for the stage two plans close this Thursday, July 7.
To view the application and lodge a submission visit www.heritage. vic.gov.au/protecting-our-heritage/ currently-advertised-permits