Transport for NSW has announced the preferred options for two historic Tamworth rail assets.
This follows extensive community consultation regarding the West Tamworth Railway Station and the Tamworth Station Master’s Residence.
For the 1878 West Tamworth Railway Station, which has been vacant for 40 years, Transport’s preferred option is to demolish the station building and install some form of heritage interpretation for the remaining infrastructure.
Heritage considerations are still being explored to acknowledge the station’s historical significance in the transportation of goods, particularly wool, and its contribution to the local economy.
For the Tamworth Station Master’s Residence, Transport’s preferred option is to restore and repurpose the asset with a view to offering it up for lease.
After being vacant for more than a decade, the 1877-built Station Master’s Residence, which is a State Heritage listed property, has potential for various uses such as a tourist attraction, artist’s space, childcare facility, or general community space.
Currently, there is no funding allocated for these preferred options. Transport is continuing further investigations and planning for both assets.
Transport for NSW Director Region North, Anna Zycki, said two rounds of consultation opportunities were conducted, in July and again in September 2023.
“We thank members community for their responses which will help guide the current and future uses of these rail assets,” Zycki said.
“Overall, respondents prioritised activating Tamworth Station Master’s Residence as a short-term action but understood that improvements to West Tamworth Railway Station site would be more complex.”
The consultation with the community included pop-up sessions, an online survey and meetings with key groups such as the Tamworth Historical Society, Tamworth Regional Council and Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
More than 23,600 people were reached, with around 350 people providing feedback.The feedback showed that 62 per cent of community participants did not know about these rail assets or their condition.
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