A COMMUNITY fight to save one of the state’s last remaining historic rail roundhouses appears over with confirmation yesterday bulldozers will move onto the site early next week.
This follows a section of the community marshalling support to halt the 11th hour demolition of the rail infrastructure, which has been a key feature in Mount Gambier since the 1950s.
The former bustling circular train yard will be razed this Monday following a decision by the state transport department and Transport Minister Stephan Knoll.
Nestled adjacent the rail trail near Webb Street, the site is one of the last remaining roundhouses – originally used for servicing and storing trains – left standing in the state.
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell yesterday met twice with Mr Knoll in Adelaide on the looming demolition amid growing community concerns.
Conceding the demolition was locked in, the independent MP made a last minute pitch for the government to at least salvage the large timber beams at the site.
But Mr Bell said the minister was unwavering on the demolition given the structural and public safety issues facing the site.
He said the State Government had “no money” to pour into the site.
“My biggest concern with this issue is the lack of community consultation on the demolition,” Mr Bell said.
He said it appeared the site would be “turned back” into open space.
Nathan Woodruff – who has spearheaded the community fight – yesterday renewed his call for the demolition to be halted to give the community time to canvass opportunities for the site.
Standing in front of the abandoned rail site yesterday, Mr Woodruff said the government needed to look at the bigger picture given the site could be transformed into a tourist attraction and a community hub.
“The minister doesn’t seem interested in hearing the other side of the story,” he said.
“We are not giving up hope, but it is not looking good. We think there are grounds to fight it – I don’t think Adelaide can take a shotgun approach for regional areas.
“The people making these decisions haven’t even come down to have a look at it – this is our community’s asset.”
Mr Woodruff also questioned if the transport department had a hidden agenda regarding the future use of the site given the demolition appeared rushed.
Mount Gambier resident Wayne Philp was among residents who rallied at the site yesterday ahead of the demolition, calling on both the government and Mount Gambier City Council to develop a vision for the site.
“This could be a museum as well as a creative precinct and a community hub for the arts and crafts movement – there is also potential for an outdoor theatre here and live music,” Mr Philp said.
He said the roundhouse site could be transformed into a tourism attraction.
“This is a greenfield site we could make into something we want as a community,” Mr Philp said.
He claimed the poor structural state of the buildings had been “exaggerated” by authorities.
“Comments the building is too damaged to repair are just rubbish,” Mr Philp said.
“Let us have a go at this project – I don’t think they (government) have considered the community need.”
He described the buildings at the site as “imposing and spectacular” and claimed many tourists loved these features.
“You don’t get a grasp about how big it is until you get in there and walk around – it is effectively two storeys with a loft,” Mr Philp explained.
Fellow supporter Peter Dalton warned the city’s rail heritage would be lost after trains operated at the site for many years.
“It is one of the last remaining historic turntables (with a roundhouse) in regional South Australia – this will be gone forever.”
Julianne Woodruff said there was an opportunity to transform the site into a tourist attraction, similar to what the Peterborough community had achieved with its roundhouse.
“The main thing I am upset about is that there was no consultation – nobody was originally informed of the demolition,” Ms Woodruff said.
Conceding the site was an “eyesore”, she said the community should be given a chance to breathe new life into the roundhouse.
Mount Gambier Mayor Andrew Lee said council had no jurisdiction over the roundhouse site given it was departmental land.
“It is not our land and council has not adopted any formal position on the issue,” Mr Lee said.
The issue was expected to be tabled for discussion at last night’s full city council meeting.
