Railway house for Busselton foreshore

The Old Railway Station at Rotary Park would be relocated to the Busselton foreshore in new plans for a multi-million dollar Railway House facility.

The City of Busselton, Busselton Jetty Environment and Conservation Association and Geographe Bay Tourism Association would share the facility, providing the tourism body with a long-desired permanent presence on the foreshore.

It would also house the restored Ballaarat Engine, located within an interpretive display centre and function space, and the Busselton jetty train.

The proposal for a Railway House facility has long been part of the Busselton Foreshore Master Plan but the original concept for a two-storey development was costed at between $4 million and $5 million. The refined proposal, located south of The Goose restaurant, has an estimated cost of between $2 million and $2.2 million.

The City would draw $1.125 million from its reserve funds and BJECA would pay for its own section of the building.

In a report to the council, City officers said the plan was affordable while adding value to the Busselton foreshore experience.

They said the opportunity to highlight the Old Busselton Railway Station in the design had also been well received.

GBTA chief executive Sharna Kearney said the proposal had their full support.

“We are looking forward to working with the City and BJECA to provide visitors to the region with a world class experience through Railway House, ” she said.

“The foreshore location, together with the heritage of the Old Railway Station and associated interpretative space, will provide a drawcard for visitors and assist the GBTA to continue to provide quality visitor servicing, and grow the contribution tourism makes to the local community.”

In exchange for floorspace within the relocated Old Railway Station, GBTA would be required to return their building on Peel Terrace to the City.

Mrs Kearney said the GBTA were happy with this arrangement as they did not use the space to its full capacity.

BJECA president Trevor Fitzgerald said they were still in negotiations but things appeared to “be on the right track.”

The council has been asked to endorse the Railway House proposal on Wednesday. If the motion is passed, Memorandums of Understanding will be signed with all parties within six weeks.