As part of the Central Goldfields Shire vision to put tourism front-and-centre of the region’s economic development, the Visitor Information Centre will be re-located to a new home at the iconic Maryborough Railway Station.
The move is part of the Maryborough Railway Station activation project which will also see a co-working space open at the Station.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor is excited about the opportunities the change of address will provide.
“The Maryborough Railway Station Activation Project is one of Council’s Priority Projects and was also identified as a key project in both the Economic Development and Tourism and Events Strategies.
“Our vision is to see the Station become a game-changing local and visitor hub that provides a range of commercial, transport and community uses while providing a welcoming and engaging entry point to visitors to the Shire.
“We are working to develop exciting contemporary tourism product at the Station and take advantage of this beautiful space at the heart of the central Victorian Goldfields which are being proposed for World Heritage Listing.
“We are determined this will be a visitor experience not to be missed.”
Central Goldfields Shire Manager Tourism, Events and Culture Emma Little said it was wonderful to see a location with so much historical importance to Maryborough will have a new lease of life in the 21st century.
“The new location provides our visitor services team with a larger floorplan, expanded car parking as well as capacity for caravans.
“In the consultation stage of the Economic Development and Tourism and Events strategies our tourism and business community shared with us that this was a need and so it’s great that we’ve been able to progress this need and we’re just weeks away from making it a reality.”
John Moir from Alvah Art Gallery and Vintage Cars in Dunolly said he “congratulated the decision to move to this site as it is a larger facility, nearer tourist activity and has more parking space.”
The relocation is expected to occur late March.
The project has been made possible thanks to $50,000 in funding from the State Government’s Stronger Regional Communities Program.
Council has also contributed $67,500 to the project and the Committee for Maryborough have made an in-kind contribution of $10,000 for mentoring of start-ups/small businesses by experienced business operators who are Committee for Maryborough members.
