Better Benalla Rail has asked Heritage Council Victoria to reconsider its decision to not list the Rose City’s historic signal box in the Victorian Heritage Register.
This follows a decision in March, which was made to remove an Interim Protection Order on the structure.
The group said it does not want to see the box demolished to facilitate the Inland Rail Project, and would like to see it relocated to the north side of Benalla station.
It was BBR that applied for, and gained, the Interim Protection Order in December 2023.
That was assessed by Heritage Council Victoria who concluded in March that the signal box was not significantly unique to add to the Victorian Heritage Register.
It disagreed with an ARTC engineer’s report regarding its condition to justify demolition finding instead that the signal box was in ‘fair to good’ condition and structurally sound.
Better Benalla Rail argues that the building is of unique cultural importance to the Benalla community, especially as so much of the city’s rail history has been demolished or left in disrepair.
BBR’s submission also detailed the economic opportunities that can flow from the relocated, restored, and repurposed signal box which could complement the Seymour Rail Heritage Centre’s plans for historic rail travel through Benalla.
BBR chair Suzie Pearce said John Crofts, Seymour Railway Heritage Centre president, recently outlined plans to Benalla Mayor Danny Claridge for historic trains using both diesel and/or steam engines between Benalla and Yarrawonga using the Oaklands line.
“These trains would deliver tourists to Benalla events, such as the Winton Races, the Benalla Festival, art gallery exhibitions, the street art festival, Winton Wetlands and would enable access to the silo art trail,” Ms Pearce said.
“Restaurants, golf courses and a range of accommodation options would also benefit.
“The first (of these) trains will arrive in June 2024 but without an opportunity to disembark passengers in Benalla.
“The proposed new second platform requires a small extension of the current (Inland Rail) design to permit passengers to disembark.
“Better Benalla Rail is seeking this modification.”
Ms Pearce said the signal box could provide a historic rail and signals memorabilia museum, train spotters venue and other opportunities.
“The first Seymour Historic Train journey was booked out in 90 hours, requiring a second train to be programmed, demonstrating (its) potential,” she said.
“Here is an opportunity for the (Inland Rail) to demonstrate a positive response to genuine community concerns and agree to relocate the signal box.
“This would help restore confidence that Inland Rail will benefit the communities it passes through.
“The heritage value of the Benalla Signal Box is recognised in the Benalla Council Heritage Overlay.
“On-site relocation and adaptive re-use highlighting rail history would save the signal box and retain its recognised historic significance.”
Ms Pearce said further discussions aimed at preventing the demolition of the signal box are under way, with assistance from Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines.
“Federal minister (Catherine) King and state minister (Sonya) Kilkenny are among those we are seeking discussion with,” she said.
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