Historic carriages still looking for a new home

INDIGO Shire Council and the National Trust (Victoria) have ruled out using the refurbished railway goods shed as a new location for the historic carriage collection currently housed by Bilson's Brewery. The O&M Advertiser reported in May last year that the lease at the carriages' current location runs out in November and council and the National Trust both said they would be seeking a new location once COVID–19 restrictions were lifted. Despite their efforts a new location has not been confirmed as yet which has frustrated members of the Beechworth History and Heritage Society (BHHS). Society president Elizabeth Mason said the historic goods shed was the perfect venue for the carriages. "We have had engineers look at it who confirm the collection would fit there and the railway precinct could be developed into a transport tourism centre," Ms Mason said. "The goods shed was refurbished and has been sitting empty for coming up to five years because council wants to wait for a commercial tenant. "That could take years to happen." Indigo council director of community and economic development, Mark Florence, said although a commercial tenant for the railway goods shed had not yet been found, council remained optimistic of a positive outcome. "We did conduct two expressions of interest and there was significant interest but no formal approach and then COVID–19 hit," Mr Florence said. "We decided we would revisit that when the economy was getting back to normal. "There was considerable federal and council money put into the refurbishment on the understanding it would be a commercial tenant, something complementary to the precinct such as a cafe or tourism operation and we are committed to that." Dr Annette Shiell, executive manager collections and cultural projects at the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), said the trust is the custodian of the collection and is committed to working with the wider community to conserve and interpret the collection. "We are undertaking a multi–staged approach to manage the collection and secure its longterm future," she said. "Our current priority is rehousing the collection so it can be conserved and made available to the public. "We are currently considering options for relocation, and will continue to engage with stakeholders including Indigo Shire Council and the Beechworth Heritage and Historical Society. "The National Trust very much appreciates the community's support for this collection and is looking forward to working with the Beechworth community to bring the Carriage Collection to its potential."

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