KiwiRail $1 station sale offer may be declined
THE project to relocate and renovate the former Mataura railway station does not appear to be a viable option, Gore District Council chief executive Steve Parry says in a report.
The report, which will be tabled at the council’s Tuesday meeting, recommends councillors resolve the project is not viable and decline to buy the station from KiwiRail.
In 2019, KiwiRail offered the building to the council for $1.
The building, in Main St, was designed by architect Sir George Troup in 1921.
It is listed as a category two historic place by Heritage New Zealand.
The Mataura Community Board had been overseeing the project, and in 2021, members voted to spend $30,000 on a feasibility report.
Apart from buying two properties in Nuffield St, which the board had proposed would be the new site for the station, the project had not progressed far in three years, Mr Parry said.
Eighteen months ago, it was estimated the project would cost more than $1 million, which was ‘‘an imposing fiscal challenge’’.
‘‘Market conditions in the construction sector since that time would indicate that at least a further 20% would need to be added to this figure.’’
The building was not in good repair.
‘‘Decades of maintenance neglect have left the building in a very poor and sorry state.’’
Most members of the present community board were not seeking reelection.
‘‘A serious question arises whether there is any mood or enthusiasm for the new board to champion this project.’’
If ratepayer investment beyond the Mataura community was required, districtwide engagement and consultation would be necessary for the project to go ahead, he said.