The Byron Bay railway ticket office is set to undergo an external facelift next week and will be painted in the original Heritage colour schemes from its opening in 1913.
The works, which start on Monday (21 September) and take around six weeks to complete, are the final upgrade for the Byron rail precinct – set to be opened to the public mid-October.
"The old railway ticket office is a much-loved part of Byron Bay's history but it has been neglected, vandalised and damaged since the end of rail services 15 years ago," Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon said.
"We are so pleased that the manager of the ticket office, John Holland Country Regional Network has engaged heritage restoration contractors, Longstone, to undertake $140,000 of works to return this building to its former glory – and at no cost to Council.
"This is such a great win for our community and provides the final piece of the puzzle completing recent upgrades undertaken by Byron Shire Council and Transport for NSW in Railway Park, the rail corridor, the Visitors Centre, car parks and the bus interchange.
"I am also excited to announce that once restoration works on the building are complete, the Byron Community Centre will be using the space as Byron market headquarters, running the Twilight, Beachside and Community markets from the building," the Mayor said.
Over $10 million has been invested to return the rail precinct to an iconic part of Byron's rich history and heart of the town centre.
"The activation of the restored ticket office building, particularly over weekends, is critical to the precinct's success as a safe and welcoming space that can be enjoyed by the whole community," the Mayor said.
