Ceremony to mark restoration of Kalgoorlie station

17/12/93

Transport Minister Eric Charlton today officiated at a small ceremony in Kalgoorlie to mark the restoration of the city's railway station.

The historic building was renovated in three stages, beginning in April 1988 and completed in September this year.

A feature of the work was the use of local ashlar stone to build modern office facilities.

The stone was originally used to construct three Westrail houses at Comet Vale near Leonora and had to be unearthed and transported to Kalgoorlie for cleaning.

Original stonework in the terminal building had to be sandblasted to remove many years of repeated painting.

A new booking office has been included which features modern tiles and jarrah timberwork in a design reflecting the period of the building.

It also has a portico to the office and stone arching as well as modern toilet facilities.

"Westrail has gone to great lengths to preserve the original style and character of the building which has been classified by the Heritage Committee," Mr Charlton said.

"It is also fitting that the building should be completed and fully functional in Kalgoorlie's centenary year."

The Eastern Goldfields railway system began with the opening of the 274-kilometre line from Northam to Southern Cross in 1894.

On September 8, 1896, the line Southern Cross-Coolgardie-Kalgoorlie was declared open, and the passenger terminal known as Kalgoorlie Station was opened for traffic soon after in the same year.

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333