Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas visited the Central Goldfields yesterday (19/05) to announce $1.8 million in funding for the Maryborough Railway Station Activation Project.
The funding, as part of the Victorian Government's Stronger Regional Communities Program, marks stage two of the project, which will build on the recent relocation of the Central Goldfields Visitor Information Centre and the opening of the new co-working space.
Council will contribute a further $200,000 making Stage 2 a $2 million project.
The Maryborough Railway Station Activation Project is one of Council's Priority Projects and a key feature in its Tourism and Events and Economic Development strategies.
Council's vision is to see the station building become a welcoming hub of activity in the centre of the wider Goldfields Region telling the rich stories of the Goldfields in dynamic contemporary ways and nurturing creative enterprises.
It will be a place of immense community pride and enjoyment and also provide an attractive co-working space to support new business.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor thanked the Victorian Government for their investment to this iconic heritage building.
"The announcement of funding this week will mean we can increase visitation by providing immersive, engaging and incredibly exciting contemporary experiences that promote further exploration of our Shire and the entire Goldfields region."
"This will help our tourism and hospitality sector leverage off the opportunities that emerge from the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage bid as it evolves. We will tell that exciting story showing why the Central Victorian Goldfields is unique in the history of the world."
Stage Two of the Maryborough Railway Station Activation Project will also include:
• New studio and exhibition spaces will showcase emerging local creative enterprises.
• Our new co-working space will be extended and enhanced to support local micro-business establishment and resilience.
• Enhanced weather protection for the platform space adjacent to the café and Visitor Information Centre will create more flexible year-round spaces and take advantage of the beautiful lantern roof that is a distinguishing feature of this 19th-Century station architecture.
• Improved accessibility to meet 21st-Century standards will enable currently unused spaces to be opened up to the public.
