The Newport railway workshop has been a part of Victoria’s history for 134 years, which is why Hobsons Bay councillor Peter Hemphill thinks it belongs on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
If Cr Hemphill is successful in his attempts at gaining global protection, the site will become the 21st world heritage site in Australia, and the third in Victoria.
“This is a unique site, there are trains, locomotives and carriages as well as some of the original equipment on the site, that were manufactured there,” he said.
“I believe that is rare in the world, so hence the push for a UNESCO World Heritage listing.”
There are currently three preservation railway groups at the site including Steamrail Victoria, Diesel Electric Rail Motor Association of Victoria (DERMPAV) and 707 operations.
In 2023, Hobsons Bay council voted in favour of pushing ahead with a formal request to VicTrack to update a conservation management plan for the site.
In order to obtain a heritage listing, VicTrack must work with Heritage Victoria, council and other rail groups, as well as a nomination from the federal government.
Cr Hemphill believed there is an obligation on VicTrack to do a number of things to get the ball rolling.
“VicTrack are the owners of the railway workshops side in Newport, there is an obligation on them to carry out a conservation management plan, a strategic land use plan, and a heritage interpretation plan,” he said.
“These will identify what is there and what needs to be protected, at the moment they haven’t done that so it is very important.”
In addition to the work by VicTrack, Cr Hemphill said commitment and recognition by the state government is also required.
“The state government need to recognise that they have a heritage gem in their backyard,” said Cr Hemphill.
“Consequent of that we need some funding, we can’t just put all our money into new rail infrastructure.
“…Like rail loops and so forth, they are important but it is always important to preserve what we already have and make sure that we do not lose it.”
VicTrack and the state government were approached for comment.
Jennifer Pittorino
