- Published:
- Thursday 4 June 2015
Inglewood’s 140 year old station and goods shed have been transformed into a health, business and community centre thanks to $1.1 million from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, today joined Loddon Shire Mayor, Gavin Holt, and representatives from VicTrack, Workspace Australia and Inglewood and Districts Health Service to officially open the new centre.
The project has transformed the historic buildings, bringing them back into the day-to-day life of the Inglewood community once again.
The station’s roof has been replaced and extensive internal work has been undertaken to convert the building into offices. The floor of the original station office has been levelled to create a large meeting space and a new entry has been installed to improve disability access.
The goods shed has been fitted out with offices, a kitchenette and storage area, and includes a large general-purpose space for meetings and other events.
Loddon Shire Council is leasing the buildings to support social and economic development in Inglewood and the surrounding districts.
Inglewood and Districts Health Service is using the station building as extra office space for their allied health practitioners. The large open plan area of the station will be used for group activities such as cardiac rehabilitation, strength training and other community activities.
Workspace Australia, which provides business support services, and Goldfields Choir will use the new offices and large meeting space in the goods shed.
The project is funded through the Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program, which provides funding to transform disused rail buildings into affordable, usable spaces for local communities.
Through the program, historic rail buildings in Beaufort, Chiltern, Donald, Yarragon and Wycheproof have been restored, and works are now underway to restore Clunes station.
The Program is managed by VicTrack, owners of Victoria’s rail land and assets, on behalf of Public Transport Victoria. For more information visit www.victrack.com.au(opens in a new window)
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan
“This $1.1 million project has transformed these historic buildings, bringing them back into the day-to-day life of the Inglewood community once again.”
“The new station will be used by the local health service, while the goods shed will be a business centre and home to the Goldfields Choir.”
“This is a wonderful celebration of Inglewood’s history, and its future as a thriving community in the heart of regional Victoria.”