Euroa Goods Shed: The battle to save regional heritage

The Euroa Goods Shed has stood by the railway line since the 1870s, but now rail upgrades are threatening this piece of history.

L-R: Charlie Brydon, Shirley Saywell, John Simpson, Jim Shovelton and Tara Hope. Picture: Zoe Phillips

The future of a historic building with deep ties to the Euroa region hangs in the balance, as rail infrastructure upgrades clash with community calls for heritage protections.

The Euroa Goods Shed, which has stood at the Euroa station since the 1870s, has been slated for demolition by the Australian Rail Track Corporation as part of works for the Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail project.

An engineering report recently commissioned by the ARTC found the condition of the shed was “such that a collapse could occur without further warning, at any time”, and recommended demolition “as soon as practically possible”.

An ARTC spokesperson confirmed it took on the lease for the goods shed in October 2000, and said the shed “had been in a disused state for some time”, with functional use of the shed having ended in the 1980s.

The fate of the Goods Shed at Euroa railway station hangs in the balance, as progress and preservation collide. Picture: Zoe Phillips

The community has secured a temporary stay of execution for the building, as community group EuroaConnect appeals a decision from Heritage Victoria, which initially recommended against an interim protection order for the structure.

EuroaConnect chair John Simpson said the shed was “highly valued” by many in the Euroa community, and that the shed should be kept at its current location.

“Following demolition or structural changes to other similar sheds along the North East Rail Corridor the building is now unique in its construction and the material used,” Mr Simpson said.

“It offers an important insight into the history and development of Victoria’s North East and Goulburn Valley regions. We believe that as a community managed facility the Shed can be developed over time as a much needed and highly valued public space in a precinct that offers connectivity and community connection for our town.”

An Inland Rail spokesperson said through the design process for Inland Rail in Euroa, “it became evident the goods shed needed to be removed” due to conflict with future rail infrastructure in the precinct.

“We will continue to fully support the heritage process and comply with all requirements. The project is not contemplating anything further than making the site safe until the outcome of the heritage protection order is confirmed.”