Tara Murray
The owners of the old Sydenham railway station are working with Brimbank council to secure the building’s future after a planning permit to relocate it was withdrawn.
As reported by Star Weekly, the Mornington Peninsula Railway Society submitted an application to relocate the station building, which is more than 100 years old – to its tourist railway.
Many residents have raised concerns about the proposal, including Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins who started a petition calling for the station to remain in Brimbank.
Last week, the society withdrew its application with president Andrew Saine saying he was surprised by the reaction.
“We were under the impression it was fairly neglected and needed some attention to turn it into something special,” he said.
“Since then we have been quite surprised and a little bit disappointed how negative things have been in Sydenham. We’re not about taking buildings from significant areas.”
While Mr Swaine was disappointed by the outcome, he hoped something bigger would result from the application being withdrawn.
“It’s [the station] getting worse by the day. The building needs some love and hopefully finds someone who will care for it and get the love it needs.”
QIC, which owns the nearby Watergardens town centre, owns the station building which has been unused for 19 years.
Watergardens centre manager Joe Galea said QIC continues to work with Brimbank council in planning for the future of the Sydenham railway station.
“We have been working with Brimbank City Council for a significant amount of time in planning for the future for Sydenham Railway Station, with a collective goal of ensuring its eventual use as something that honours its history.
“We look forward to being able to share further details about our plans for this important historical site as we reach key planning and approval milestones.”
Brimbank city development director Kelvin Walsh confirmed the application had been withdrawn and there was no other proposal before the council to demolish, remove or relocate the building.
“Brimbank and QIC continue to have positive discussions about the future of the Watergardens Precinct, including the former Sydenham railway station building area,” he said.
“Council is aware of community interest in the old station building and its importance to the history of Sydenham and district.
“With the withdrawal of the planning application to move the building, the council has not considered the appropriateness of this.
“It has also not considered acquiring the old station building.”
