The Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society is on a mission to save a relic of a bygone era.
The state government has applied to Moorabool council to demolish the signal box located at Bacchus Marsh station.
However, the historical society has submitted a report to council opposing the proposal.
The report will be reviewed at council’s developer assessment committee meeting on August 21.
President John Spain said it was a “bad idea” to get rid of the signal box so haphazardly and without any thorough investigation.
“It has significant heritage quality for the town and at the very least we want a heritage assessment of the station,” he said.
Mr Spain said removing the signal box would be removing a piece of the town’s soul.
“The bottom line is people come to places like Bacchus Marsh because they have a bit of a history, not to look at brand new overpasses.”
“It’s nice if they can see some heritage buildings.”
Steamrail Victoria Tours still have locomotives pass through and stop in Bacchus Marsh. Mr Spain said the removal of the important traditional artefact would hurt the area’s point of difference.
“We believe the tourism experience will be significantly diminished by the removal of the signal box,” he said.
“The community should be given the opportunity to have information provided by an assessment.”
The turntable, signal box, and goods shed at the station, including the station building itself, are all important historical features that give the town some colour, Mr Spain said.
“They provide value to the community as heritage assets and they have intrinsic value.”
Eddie Russell
