By Matthew Sims
Hobsons Bay council has sought further clarification about why works were undertaken at the Newport Railway Workshops.
Hobsons Bay councillor Peter Hemphill raised a notice of motion at the council’s meeting on Tuesday, March 14 calling for the council to seek an urgent face-to-face meeting with VicTrack, the Department of
Transport and Heritage Victoria to receive an explanation as to why heritage overhead power lines were cut down at the Newport Railway Workshops in December 2022 and pursue their commitment to heritage at the Newport Railway Workshops.
Cr Hemphill said neither Steamrail Victoria nor the council were aptly consulted about the works.
“I don’t believe there was any substantial consultation,” he said.
Cr Hemphill said he was keen to have discussions about how to preserve the precinct after observing fencing had been erected around heritage buildings.
“If you do fence it off, have a plan to restore the buildings, don’t just put a fence up so they can fall into more disrepair,” he said.
“We’re not happy with our heritage being destroyed.”
Cr Jonathon Marsden said the work the council can undertake now can act as a safeguard to protect the precinct for future generations.
“We really have to actively plan and vision for something 10 or 20 years hence when this precinct will be a place that is celebrated internationally,” he said.
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said Heritage Victoria reviewed the works and assessments showed the works would not impact the cultural heritage of the site.
“Works to upgrade the power supply at our Newport Train Depot are being delivered as part of our X’Trapolis 2.0 project,” the spokesperson said.
As part of the $986 million X’Trapolis 2.0 project, the works aimed to improve track safety and provide better lighting to allow for testing of the new trains to be undertaken between key points across Melbourne’s rail network.
