NEWS
BRIDGETOWN-GREENBUSHES STAR SEPTEMBER 2023
History on the move in Greenbushes T
he historic North Greenbushes railway station dating back a century is on the move from its mill-side location in Throssell Street, North Greenbushes, to a new location behind the Greenbushes Discovery Centre. It will be restored from its dilapidated current state to become an integral part of the Visitor Centre and its tourist trail, saving it from a fate of slow decay on the rail line. The project is ready to proceed, with the move to be made within weeks, as long as earthworks proceed on schedule. The move is not without some controversy, however, with some Facebook commentators calling for it to be refurbished where it stands to protect its heritage values. However, the Public Transport Authority (PTA) wanted to remove it, and the Greenbushes Visitor Centre believes the only people interested in visiting it in its present location would be rail enthusiasts. Permission to remove the building to another site for community use was granted by the PTA in 2012. The Heritage Council says the station is highly significant and served as a passenger and goods station from its opening, along with the line, in 1898. It was designed by the Public Works Department under the guidance of George Temple Poole, its Chief Architect. It stayed open for passengers until 1985 and some restoration work was carried out in 2003.
The historic Bridgetown Railway Station has been restored from its previous dilapidated state, and is now waiting to be reopened as the Visitor Centre.
“The move is not without some controversy, with some commenttors on Facebook calling for it to be refurbished where it stands to protect its heritage values”
A Goods Shed and Station Master’s House no longer exist, with the Station Master’s house destroyed by fire in the 1990s. Funding for the project has come from Lotterywest, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, and Talison Lithium. Meanwhile new life has been breathed into Bridgetown’s historic railway station with restoration now finished, and only the final fitout to be completed before its reopening as the new Bridgetown Visitor Centre, which is expected towards the end of the year.
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Work has included timber cladding and repairs to the brick chimney, replacing the galvanised roof, and reinstating the original columns. The station served Bridgetown from 1898 to 1988 and was the biggest station on the line. The State Heritage Council has described the building as having local and state significance “as tangible reminders of the importance of railways in the economic development of the lower South West region and the State”.
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