Lal Lal’s historic bluestone station building will be restored and opened up to the community, through works taking place as part of the Victorian Government’s Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program.

Once the works are complete, the Lal Lal Station building will be opened to local people as a community hub and neighbourhood house, and will also include a tourist information centre so visitors can find out about what the local area has to offer.

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle joined the Mayor of Moorabool Shire Cr Tom Sullivan at the station today, alongside representatives from the Lal Lal Catchment Landcare Group who will manage the space.

The Lal Lal Station building was built in 1862 and served passengers travelling on the Geelong-Ballarat line. It has been disused for many years, and the works will fully restore the structure and the interior of the building.

The works will include structural repairs and refurbishment, as well as installing a kitchenette and accessible toilet so the building can be used for community events and meetings.

The building will be leased by VicTrack through a community lease to Moorabool Shire Council, and it will be subleased to the Lal Lal Catchment Landcare Group.

Planning works for the project will continue throughout the rest of this year, with construction to take place in 2022.

The works will be delivered by VicTrack in conjunction with an expert heritage architect, to ensure the restoration is sympathetic to the historic values of the building.

The Victorian Government’s Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program restores disused historic railway buildings and opens them up to the local community to share and enjoy.

Previously 21 buildings in regional areas were restored through the program, and now 10 more buildings are being brought back to their former glory during 2021 and 2022 under a $9 million package of works.

For more information on the program, please visit victrack.com.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“The Lal Lal historic railway building is of great historical significance to the area and the restoration of this beautiful bluestone building will turn it into a real asset for the community and visitors to the town.”

“I look forward to seeing the building restored to its former glory and brought back to life after many years of being vacant.”