We all share in the pride of our magnificent Maryborough Railway Station.
As Heritage Victoria notes "Maryborough Railway Station is historically significant as an intact and important example of the peak of lavish expenditure on important railways infrastructure." It is historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria."
Council's Tourism and Events Strategy 2020-2025 identified the opportunity to transform the Station into an "iconic and game-changing local and visitor hub." Activation was identified as a key opportunity and Council's success in advocacy to the Victorian Government, and the Government's ready response, resulted in funding for the first two stages of that activation.
Activation has included the relocation of the Visitor Information Centre as well as continuing work creating a range of engaging visitor and community uses. The recent Victorian Budget announcement for weekend passenger train service to and from Maryborough on both days significantly boosts visitation.
Council's Tourism and Events Strategy also recognised our important opportunity to "enhance and reinterpret the gold story" identifying the need for new products and experiences to tell that story given our central location within the World Heritage Listing bid region. It noted that "the creation and interpretation of stories brings depth to the goldfields heritage experience."
Council's Priority Projects Plan seeks funding to continue this critical work so that Maryborough Railway Station will become an immersive centre of leading-edge interpretation and a global destination of choice, creating endless opportunities and benefits but importantly preserving and enhancing our magnificent Station for countless future generations.
