Mitcham Council plans to revamp historic Mitcham railway station dumped

A PLAN to revamp buildings at a historic Adelaide railway station would have cost more than the next 25 years of profits made by any business that would have gone there.

Historic buildings at the Mitcham railway station. Picture: Eugene Boisvert

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A PLAN to revamp buildings at Mitcham railway station — potentially as a cafe — has been dumped by Mitcham Council because it would be too expensive.

A council report revealed it could have cost up to $500,000 — but at least $400,000 — to bring disused buildings at the train station up to scratch.

The council would also need to find $35,000 for concept designs and $80,000 over the next 10 years for ongoing maintenance.

Council staff and Mayor Glenn Spear had met with applicants interested in leasing the buildings last year.

But according to the report, the applicants expected the council to invest in the station before they would consider opening businesses.

The Mitcham railway station. Picture: Eugene Boisvert

Councillor Stephen Fisher told a recent meeting the planned renovations were “uneconomic, simple as that”.

“I have to say, this outcome will be disappointing to the people who applied for it but, at the same time, I’m concerned that right from the start of this … it just seemed like an exercise in chasing a possible return that probably wasn’t there,” Cr Fisher said.

“I’m glad (the) council owns this heritage station but to turn it into a restaurant was going to cost more than the next 25 years of profits for any business that might have gone there.”

He warned against “flights of fancy” that cost council staff time and money.

However, Mitcham chief executive Matt Pears told councillors railway station site was “the most valuable piece of land that Mitcham Council owns”.

“The future of that site is crucial to the future development of this centre,” Mr Pears said.

“So I actually think at some point we’re going to have to bite the bullet and do a real strategic piece of work … and I think we’ve got to revisit that at some point.”

The council first sought expressions of interest to redevelop the buildings in July 2016.

It met with interested parties in September and October the same year, before a second set of meetings in 2017.

The 1883-built station is still used by commuters but the council-owned buildings — including an old house, ticket office, female toilets and sheds — have long been closed to the public.