Friday, 4 April, 2025

COMMUNITY CELEBRATES LETHBRIDGE STATION RESTORATION

The newly restored Lethbridge Station building is now open to the public, providing a new space for the community and visitors to the area to enjoy.

Member for Eureka Michaela Settle joined representatives from the Lethbridge Community Group Inc. and Golden Plains Shire Council at an open day at the station, which marked the official opening of the station building and gave the local community the opportunity to see the works that have taken place. 

The works on the historic bluestone building were carried out through the Victorian Government’s Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program, which involves refurbishing vacant station buildings across the state so they can be used by local communities.

Lethbridge Bluestone Train Station Inc. subleases the building from Golden Plains Shire Council and will manage it as a multi-purpose community arts and cultural hub.

The restoration of the building included carrying out structural repairs and refurbishment, as well as installing a kitchenette and accessible toilet so the building can be used for community events and meetings.

Following a competitive tender process carried out by VicTrack, the works were delivered by Rendine Constructions Pty Ltd, based near Geelong.

The project was delivered in conjunction with an expert heritage architect, to ensure the restoration was sympathetic to the historic value of the building.

The Victorian Government’s Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program is delivered by VicTrack on behalf of the Victorian Government and restores disused historic railway buildings and opens them up to the local community to share and enjoy.

Previously more than 20 buildings in regional areas were restored through the program, and now more buildings are being brought back to their former glory through a $9 million package of works.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle

“I was delighted to join the community to celebrate the official opening of the historic Lethbridge Station building, which has been transformed from being a vacant building into a valuable community hub that will provide local people with a place to meet and carry out activities together.”

“With Lethbridge being a short distance from both Ballarat and Geelong, the building will also provide a convenient meeting point for people from both regional cities.”