Empty promises for Nyora, says MP

THE NATIONALS Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien MP says promised works on the vacant Nyora railway station building have stalled due to bureaucratic red tape.

The Nyora station was promised a share of $9 million from the Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings (CUVRB) program in the 2020-2021 State Budget, however works have failed to progress.

“The building was previously being used to house the local community op shop until they were told they would be required to sign a commercial lease making the venue no longer affordable,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Since then, no other operators or community groups have been identified to move into the building. As a result, the State Government is now stating that works cannot commence as the building is not being used, placing the funding in jeopardy.

“So we have the ludicrous situation where the State Government has forced a community tenant out of the building and is now saying a renovation can’t proceed because there is no community tenant!

“Nyora is now left with a vacant building that will no doubt fall into disrepair at the mercy of the weather and vandals, while the promised funding goes by the wayside and the cost of any future fit-out potentially blows out.”

Mr O’Brien said this was an example of bureaucracy lacking common sense.

“It baffles me that VicTrack is willing to allow this funding to go unused and its asset to sit idle.

“I will be working with South Gippsland Shire to discuss options for identifying a suitable community-use so that the works on the building can go ahead as promised.”

A spokesperson for the South Gippsland Shire Council confirmed council will continue to work with VicTrack and the community to identify opportunities for improvement and use of the Nyora Railway Station buildings.

The Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings (CUVRB) Program is delivered by VicTrack on behalf of the Victorian Government, and restores disused historic railway buildings.

“Through the Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program VicTrack works with communities to bring disused rail buildings back to life, and encourages any community groups interested in the Nyora buildings to put forward a proposal,” a spokesperson for VicTrack stated.

For a station building to be restored under the program, VicTrack must have a proposal from the community outlining a use for the building.

According to VicTrack, they have been engaging South Gippsland Shire Council and community representatives for several years to identify a future use.

However, at this stage they haven’t received an application to enable works to proceed.

VicTrack have also completed preliminary site investigations at Nyora to inform the future design and scope of works, and will continue to work with council on a solution that benefits the community and incorporates the surrounding rail trail into the precinct improvements.

When asked about the situation regarding the Op Shop, they highlighted that as a retail outlet, the Op Shop that formerly occupied the building was not eligible for a community lease and as such made the decision to relocate.

VicTrack continues to carry out essential maintenance on the vacant station buildings and make them secure.