Moora Railway Reserve Precinct

Statement of Significance

The precinct demonstrates significant associations with the establishment and subsequent development of the railway system. It is a significant element in the history of Moora and the surrounding districts.

History

Lack of transport hindered the settlement of the regions. Anthony Hordern was issued a contract under the Land Grant Scheme, to provide a railway line through the area (he had constructed the 'Great Southern Line'). In 1884, John Waddington proposed the Geraldton line, based on Hordern's contract. It was intended to run between York and Geraldton but later changed to Midland to Walkaway(Geraldton). The original proposal had the line running through New Norcia, Walebing, Clune's Mill. However much objection was raised about the threat to leaseholders in the region: Clinch, Salvado and Lefroy, led to the prevention of the line through that area. In 1886, the "Waddington Agreement" was drawn up and on 1st March 1886, Edward Keane, the building contractor commenced the line from both ends (Geraldton & Midland). Financial problems were soon apparent and construction was ceased between 1887 and 1890. In 1894, Herbert Bond took over and the Midland Railway Company bought the concessions. The first General Manager of the Midland Railway Company was Keane. The railway contract meant that the company gained up to 5 miles a file mile frontage of the railway and 15 miles deep along the railway. 12000 acres per mile of railway within a 40 miles swath of the raiway. The agreement hindered the development of the Moora region quite signifiantley as all the land was tied up. In 1893, the railhead was established at Moora, with the line open through to Geraldton in November 1894. Trains ran three time a week, but soon increased to six times a week. Moora townsite was proclaimed in April 1895 and the blocks to the east of town were surveyed by the Midland Railway Company. The railway station precinct was located st the site of the camping ground in Moora where the Midland line crossed Berkshire Valley to the West End tack. The weatherboard Stationmaster's house was occupied by the first Stationmaster John Thomas in 1895. The railway dam and tank were constructed in the 1890's. Worker's camps were located at the north end of Padbury Street. During the 1890's the holding yards for cattle and sheep were located in close proximity to the railway ramp. In 1897, The Midland Railway Company went into receivership, the land was not sold at that time, so no financial return and the cost of frieght service, unlike the railways was subsidised. in 1905, the Midland Railway Company held land sales for the town land and in 1906 the first railway land auction with a strong response for the Koojan lots. The Midland Railway Company's office was the centre for land sales, located at the Moora Railway Station. The teamsters had a stable in close proximity, a the highest point in town adjacent to the river. By 1901, there was one train each way every day except Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. In 1922, the District Railway League formed and held regular meetings and protests. CBH formed on 5th April 1933 and established bulk grain handling failities in the Moora Railway Yard. Midland Railway Company's attempts to lower passenger costs led to a passsenger bus from Perth to Moora with the first bus arriving in Moora on 12th October 1946 on it's way to Geraldton. In 1957, State Government threat to close the Miling line due to losses caused public outcry. In 1958, the conversion from steam to diesel locomotives by the Midland Railway Company and the WAGR meant that water was no longer required along the line. The first diesel locomotives arrived in Watheroo on 19th June 1958. In 1963, the Government purchased the Midland Railway Company.

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