The Maryborough Railway Station Activation Project moved a step forward this week with the awarding of the contract for Stage Two to Barpa Pty Ltd, an Australian Indigenous construction company, following a public tender process.
Building on initial improvement works to the Station completed as part of Stage One of the project in March 2021, Stage Two will transform the Maryborough Railway Station into a visitor and activity hub that will accommodate a mix of tourism, commercial transport and community uses.
Stage Two of the project includes:
- Refurbishment of the Visitor Information Centre interior – along with new entrance doors from the platform
- Installation of digital infrastructure and interpretative experiences (separate tender to be advertised at a future date)
- Upgrades to the co-working spaces
- Provision of artist studio spaces for talks, exhibitions, classes and an artist hub
- Improvements to accessibility and landscaping
- A sculpture garden
- Other refurbishment and upgrade works
Stage Two is jointly funded with $1.8 million from the Victorian Government's Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund (Regional Infrastructure Fund) and $200,000 from Council.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor said the development of the station is an exciting prospect for the entire Shire.
"With the Central Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid being fiercely sought after and regional Victoria playing host to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, our railway station has the potential to be the key connector to draw tourists into the Central Goldfields. Council wants the Station to become a global destination of choice as it tells the story of the World Heritage Listing bid in exciting and creative ways. This will create a massive boost to our local economy.
"We know that the Railway Station is the jewel in the crown of the Central Goldfields and it's exciting to see this Activation Project take its next steps with the awarding of this tender."
The Maryborough Railway Station Activation Project is one of Council's Priority Projects and was also identified as a key project in the Economic Development and Tourism and Events Strategies.
The construction phase of the project is expected to generate an estimated 20 jobs. Once complete, the project is expected to generate five on-going local jobs as a result of extra economic activity and lead to around $9 million additional visitor expenditure in the shire over a 10-year period.
The first stage of the activation project was completed in March 2021 with the relocation of the Central Goldfields Visitor Information Centre and the opening of a new Co-Working Space. Stage One was supported with a $50,000 investment from the Victorian Government's Stronger Regional Communities Program.
