By Tyler Wright
Cockatoo residents are calling for Puffing Billy Railway to act on plans to upgrade the Cockatoo Railway Station, after a lengthy delay in planned reconstruction.
The local Puffing Billy Appreciation group, which has more than 1000 followers on Facebook, is calling for the buildings at the station to be reconstructed into their state in 1924, including a verandah, store, waiting shelter alongside male, female and disabled restrooms.
On Saturday 16 July, the appreciation group held a public meeting to call on Puffing Billy Railway to act urgently on these works, which would also see a stop for van goods and a booking office.
“A hundred years ago Cockatoo was the premier station on the line with more passenger and freight movement than anywhere else on the line,” Puffing Billy Appreciation Group president Brett Barker said.
“The original buildings were removed many years ago and were not replaced when the line was re-opened to Gembrook,” Mr Barker said.
Mr Barker said Cardinia Shire Council approved a building permit in 2018 and works commenced, with the platform upgraded, a lamp room built and sewerage works negotiated.
But according to Brett, Puffing Billy had to re-direct funds allocated to the rebuild when the the pandemic hit in early 2020.
“Now… an alternative way of funding the project may have to be found. Perhaps more of a citizen-build as was originally planned,” Brett said.
According to a document, Cardinia Shire Council approved a planning permit on 29 November 2018 for the “construction of railway station buildings and earthworks in association with Puffing Billy”.
Conditions of this permit required the land development start within two years, or be completed within four years of its issue.
If these conditions are not met, it is noted the permit will expire.
CEO of Puffing Billy Railway, Peter Abbott, said plans for the redevelopment of Cockatoo Station “continue to progress in line with the railway’s implementation of its Master Plan 2017 and the Strategic Plan 2022 to 2025”.
“Since 2014, Puffing Billy Railway has reconstructed the platform, relocated and commissioned the signalling back to its original position, constructed a lamp room in accordance with the proposed plans at the Belgrave end of the platform, obtained council planning permits and sewerage planning approvals and finalised design,” Mr Abbott said.
“With the significant impact of Covid-19 and its mass disruption to demand for tourism, Puffing Billy Railway’s visitation is at 20 per cent of what it was prior to the pandemic.
Pre-COVID-19, the railway was meeting maximum passenger capacity with upwards of 500,000 passengers per year.“
“We will continue to work through the Master Plan and Strategic Plan Projects listed as funds and operations allow and continue to work with those in the community on this project.”
The Master Plan 2017 proposes Cockatoo Railway Station be rebuilt to a design “similar to the original station” and form into a “hub for walkers and cyclists using the regional walking trail system, including the nearby Wrights Forest reserve”.
“Over the long term, this site will become a more significant starting and finishing destination for rail users coming from the emerging residential areas (Pakenham/Officer) to the south,” the master plan reads.
Mr Barker said the completion of the planned upgrades would make Cockatoo “by far be the best stop off point on the line”.
“Getting off at Cockatoo, there is a local history room planned for the station giving it a dual purpose; 400 meters from the station you have AWBEC, the Ash Wednesday Memorial Centre with historical displays. Adjoining the station you have Wright Forest, Victoria’s high rated walk for families. The Emerald to Gembrook walking trail is also close by,“ Mr Barker said.
Peter Abbott, CEO of Puffing Billy Railway, said the focus for Puffing Billy Railway is now on recovery and returning to financial sustainability so they can maintain and rebuild levels of operations to deliver on capital developments like the reconstruction of Cockatoo Station.
