General News
26 January, 2023
Stage two Maryborough Station Activation upgrades launched
Stage two of the Maryborough Station Activation project was marked with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country this week, with Indigenous-owned construction company Barpa ready to begin the upgrade works. Stage two of the $2 million development...
Stage two of the Maryborough Station Activation project was marked with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country this week, with Indigenous-owned construction company Barpa ready to begin the upgrade works.
Stage two of the $2 million development includes the refurbishment of the visitor information centre, a creative art space in the northern end of the building, an expansion of the co-working space to include a meeting space, all abilities access at the platform/ground floor, and landscaping works.
The project received $1.8 million from the state Labor Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund and at the official launch of stage two works on Wednesday this week, Member for
Ripon Martha Haylett said the project backs Maryborough’s tourism potential.
“This project is another example of how the Regional Infrastructure Fund is helping Victoria attract more visitors to the region,” she said.
“We are backing Maryborough’s tourism potential which in turn will support the local economy to grow for years to come.”
Barpa Construction Services — an Australian commercial construction company which is a majority Indigenous owned business — has been contracted by council to deliver the works.
The company has delivered projects across Australia but Barpa new business manager Jeremy Clark said this will be the first time the company has worked on a project on Dja Dja Wurrung land — with the DJAARA corporation a stakeholder in the business.
“We’re excited for this opportunity,” he said.
“Dja Dja Wurrung being a stakeholder of Barpa, it’s important we’re able to deliver a project on their Country. We’ll be able to engage with them to ensure the Traditional Owners are recognised and supported in the delivery of this project.
“The Indigenous business sector is growing exponentially, and when a council like Central Goldfields sees our capability and is able to support that, that leads onto Indigenous jobs and empowerment.
“This project will create 15 construction jobs and then there’ll be five ongoing jobs.”
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said once the upgrade is completed, the station will be back bigger and better than ever.
“Barpa are certainly well credentialled to make a huge impact on our fantastic, iconic station,” she said.
“We’re expecting this stage will be completed before the end of the year. Then it’ll be back to business as usual, but not as usual — far bigger and far greater than it ever has been before.”
