Interim heritage listing for railway stations

A group of buildings linked to the development of Western Australia's rail transport system has received interim listing in Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places. 

Heritage Minister Jim McGinty said six railway stations throughout the lower half of the State - ranging from Perth to Kalgoorlie - had been assessed by the Heritage Council of Western Australia as being suitable for inclusion in the register. 

"Given the vast size of our State, the introduction of a rail network played a vital part in the development of Western Australia," Mr McGinty said. 

"The individual stations selected by the Heritage Council all have different elements of significance." 

Mr McGinty said the Perth Railway Station - built in stages between 1881 and 1897 - was a grand old building that formed an important link with the Horseshoe Bridge and Forrest Place. 

"Historically, the building has important associations with the development of the State's rail system during the 1890s under the leadership of Sir John Forrest and the Engineer-in-Chief, C Y O'Connor," the Minister said.

Claremont Railway Station has also been given interim listing as it was one of the few early railway complexes left intact in the Perth metropolitan area. 

"The station was designed by the leading architect George Temple Poole and constructed in 1886 as the rail line between the city and the Fremantle port," Mr McGinty said.

Regional stations in Gingin, York, Kalgoorlie and Mount Barker have also received recognition. 

Mr McGinty said the Gingin station was built for the Midland Railway Company in 1891 out of brick and render. 

"The building is in good repair and is still used as a railway station," he said. 

The York station was an example of Victorian Gothic style architecture and was recognised as a significant local landmark. 

"The Kalgoorlie station is made up of a group of single-storeyed brick buildings with iron roofs and, while not being as architecturally impressive as some of the others to receive interim listing, has strong links to the gold mining era in Western Australia," Mr McGinty said.

"The station at Mount Barker is large by rural standards and was described at the time of its construction as the 'most imposing and up-to-date station' outside of Perth." 

The inclusion of the railway stations in the register have helped broaden the type of landmarks acknowledged as having heritage value. 

"The register of heritage places now not only boasts grand old buildings, but also lighthouses, railway stations, a pioneer's grave and even a tree," Mr McGinty said.

"All deserve recognition for the places they hold in our State's heritage."