Minister Symes visits Maryborough for Railway Station project update
Published on 11 November 2020
Central Goldfields Shire welcomed a visit from Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes last week – an opportunity to update the State Government on progress of the Maryborough Railway Station activation project.
Minister Symes met with Chief Administrator Noel Harvey, Committee for Maryborough Chair Windsor Main, Committee member Garry Higgins and Executive Officer Vanessa Parker and Council staff for a tour and brief on the project on Thursday 5 November.
The first stage of the project will see the historical Maryborough Station housing a new co-working facility for small businesses and the relocation of the town’s Visitor Information Centre.
Upgrade works are expected to start early next year, thanks to $50,000 from the Government’s Stronger Regional Communities Program, which is also part of the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund and invests in community-led projects that support economic growth.
Council has also contributed $67,500 to the project and the Committee for the Maryborough have made an in-kind contribution of $10,000 towards the project for mentoring of start-ups/small businesses by experienced business operators who are Committee for Maryborough members.
The Maryborough Railway Station Activation project is a key priority identified in both the Economic Development and Tourism & Events Strategies that were adopted in March. It has been supported by the Economic Response and Recovery Taskforce as a key element in local economic recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.
The overall vision is to see the station building become a hub of activity that nurtures local small businesses and creative enterprises while providing a welcoming entry point to visitors to the Central Goldfields Shire.
The funding will enable some initial works to get this first stage of the project off the ground in 2020-21, while Council develops a long term master plan that will enable this heritage building to once again become a hive of activity.
Central Goldfields Shire Chief Administrator Noel Harvey said an exciting project for the Central Goldfields community.
“This project is a tangible outcome of Council’s strategic work in economic development and tourism – it will be great to see some new activity that makes the most of this magnificent local drawcard.
Background information
Co-working space
- To be located in rooms off the platform at northern end (formerly used by Murray Basin Rail Project and Vic Railways Institute). Refurbishment required: paint, floor coverings, heating/cooling, furniture
- Focus on supporting transition from home business to more substantial small business and mentoring small business growth and development
- Federal government business incubator support funding is being investigated