Member for the Entrance, Mr David Mehan, has launched a petition to save the Ourimbah railway stationmaster’s cottage, after the Liberal Government slated it for demolition.
Mr Mehan, who has been pushing to recognise the cottage’s historical value since June 2016, said the stationmaster’s cottage was an important part of the heritage of the Ourimbah area.
He said the decision to demolish it was at odds with community views.
“This is an outrageous decision by an increasingly out of touch Government, and the local residents of Ourimbah wish to see this part of their heritage retained,” Mr Mehan said.
“My office will be circulating the petition to the local Ourimbah business community and a letter will be sent to residents in the area encouraging them, their friends, and family to sign this petition.
“I call upon the NSW Government to reverse their decision to demolish the stationmaster’s cottage and work with Council and local residents to find a productive use for the cottage.”
In June 2016, Mr Mehan expressed disappointment when the stationmaster’s cottage missed out on an upgrade as part of Ourimbah railway station’s refurbishment.
“Ourimbah is the oldest railway station on the Central Coast, and we must make sure that historically significant structures such as this cottage are preserved for the benefit of the community,” Mr Mehan said.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, MLC, also questioned his party’s decision to demolish the cottage.
On March 19, Mr MacDonald met with Central Coast heritage advocate, Ms Merril Jackson, and, Mr David Mehan, at the railway station, where he conceded that a loss of any of the 19th century buildings would be “a blow to the region”.
He said he contacted Minister for Transport, Mr Andrew Constance, asking for a rethink involving consultation with the community and an investigation about possible future uses and upkeep options.
He said he would follow it up with the Minister when Parliament resumes on Tuesday, March 28.
Source:
Media release,
Mar 23, 2017
Catherine Wall, office of David Mehan
Media statement,
Mar 23, 2017
Kit Hale, Office of Scot MacDonald
Journalist, Tynan King