Busselton Railway Station

Statement of Significance

This place has historic value for its association with the development of Busselton in the late 19th century and the investment by the State Government in the provision of services to the region. The former station has historic value for its association with the Busselton port which was important to rural industry in the region and for the transport it provided for goods until the closure of the port in 1972. The place has social value for the many members of the community who have memories of the railway station functioning in the centre of town for its original purpose, and later memories of the station at its relocated site in Rotary Park. The community connection to the former railway station is demonstrated by the programes of work to restore and relocate the building in the 1980s, and the community support for its relocation again in 2016. The decision to reuse and relocate this building twice demonstrates its value to the community.

Physical Description

The former Railway Station is single storey rectilinear building originally timber framed and clad with weatherboard. The structural elements of the building frame are likely to have been added to following the relocation to this site. The roof is corrugated metal sheeting and a brick chimney is located on the eastern elevation. On the western elevation the majority of the original windows and details have been retained, including the curved ticket windows. This elevation also includes the original verandah roof with timber supports and decorative struts. An interpretation of an original platform has been built on this elevation to accommodate the passengers of the jetty train. In addition to the construction of the new visitors centre adjoining the former Railway Station to the east is a new service and toilet block to the south. The building is located within the Busselton Foreshore development which is largely grassed areas interspersed with buildings and activities. The building can be easily viewed through the foreshore development.

History

Built in 1894, the original Busselton Railway Station was located in Stanley Street, Busselton, and opened by Premier of Western Australia, Sir John Forrest on 21 November 1894 to mark the completion of the Boyanup Busselton Railway. In 1925, the state government took over the MC Davies Timber tramway system which served ports at Flinders Bay and Hamelin Bay. The line was extended to Busselton and swept along the coastline between the ocean and the town, crossing the access to the jetty. With the closure of the jetty in 1972 demolition of the station was threatened but an enthusiastic group of local residents led by John Cooper formed the Busselton Railway Society and campaigned to save the building. The group was successful and in 1987 the building was relocated to Rotary Park, not far from the alignment of the original railway line. Skilled volunteers rebuilt the platform and on 25th September 1988, Sir Stewart Bovell cut the ribbon to open the restored station buildings. The relocated building was used for a variety of community uses until it was again relocated in mid 2016 as part of the foreshore development program. It was incorporated into the Busselton Visitors Centre and Interpretation centre. The building was adapted for this purpose and joined to a new shed which houses the Busselton Jetty tram and its service equipment. When the building was relocated to the foreshore it underwent major restoration works including the reconstruction of the former chimney and verandah.

Uses

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