Warrnambool’s historic railway goods shed is expected to be demolished next month to make way for more than 170 new car parks, but one railway enthusiasts it hoping to save it.
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VicTrack has made an application to Warrnambool City Council for the demolition of the disused shed which it says was built in 1925 but is not heritage listed.
However, railway enthusiast Lindsay Bamford said he hoped the decision could be delayed for 60 days to allow more community consultation.
“I’m disheartened to see it go,” Mr Bamford said. “Once it’s knocked down, it’s gone.”
Mr Bamford said if the shed was retained and restored there would still be room for 140 car parks. He said he would like to see the railway shed retained like the ones in Port Fairy and Koroit and put to good use.
He suggested it could be turned into a community hall, museum, function centre, cafe or be used by Tafe or art gallery. “I’d like to see it retained if it can be used for a public purpose. If there is no community purpose then regretfully it’s got to go,” he said. “I don’t want to see it left to rot.
“Obviously it would costs a lot to do up.”
Mr Bamford said he was disappointed when a 20,000 gallon water tower near the cement works which had been used by steam locomotives was demolished last year.
He said that water tower could have been saved, restored and moved to one of Victoria’s historic railways.
VicTrack said it expected construction on the new car park to begin in late May, subject to council approval, and would take about three months to complete.
Under the Victorian Government’s Road and Rail Minor Works Program, the new car park would include lighting, CCTV and new paths.
VicTrack said that while the goods shed was not heritage listed, it was subject to the Heritage Overlay of the Warrnambool Planning Scheme.
A Charles Pratt aerial photo shows the goods shed and neighbouring produce shed a few weeks or months before a spectacular fire destroyed the produce shed and rolling stock in June 1925.
An council assessment conducted in 2010, as well as another structural assessment in March this year, found the shed was in poor condition.
The building’s gabled roof is clad in corrugated asbestos fibre cement sheeting. “VicTrack has a rigorous process in place to manage asbestos in strict accordance with the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations,” it said in a statement.
Objections close April 30 and it is expected to go to next week’s council meeting for approval.