Benalla’s historic signal box has gained a reprieve from the imminent threat of demolition, Better Benalla Rail president Suzie Pearce revealed on Thursday, January 18.
“Responding to significant community concerns following the demolition announcement last year, Better Benalla Rail applied to Heritage Victoria seeking a protection order for the building,” Ms Pearce said.
The submission, which included supporting letters from the National Trust of Australia and Benalla Historical Society, was successful, and an interim protection order was granted.
This prevents its demolition while Heritage Victoria holds further considerations regarding a permanent listing.
Ms Pearce said BBR remains hopeful that Heritage Victoria will recognise the importance of the signal box to the state’s rail heritage and grant permanent recognition and protection by placing it on the heritage register.
“BBR has had many offers of support and assistance from the Benalla community for saving and repurposing the building, which will need relocating and restoration,” she said.
“It is possible this could be near the goods shed and become part of a revitalised northern entrance to the station.”
Ms Pearce said BBR is hopeful ARTC’s new chief executive officer, Wayne Johnson, will be behind saving the structure.
“He visited Benalla last year and met with us,” she said.
“We are hopeful he will see this as an opportunity to restore trust in the ARTC by accepting the need to save the signal box and move it to a new location.
“This has been done in several places, and many alternate uses have been found for these historic buildings.”