RailCorp plans to sell the site for development as part of
wider plans to redevelop the Redfern-Waterloo area under the direction of the
Redfern-Waterloo Authority.
FOE spokeswoman associate professor Lucy
Taksa, director of the Industrial Relatlons Research Centre
at the University of NSW, said the site was significant as the birth place
of significant union and rail history in Sydney’s
past.
“The site is the oldest continuously operated workshop
in Australia
and was home to very significant industrial heritage items,” she said.
“Its vital we preserve this fascinating site for the
future before it’s too late to do so.”
RailCorp has already begun moving heritage items from the
site to a new location in the Hunter
Valley, but FOE said they should be retained at the Large
Erecting Shop.
Redfern and Waterloo
community group REDWatch spokesman Geoff Turnbull said that the site was
perfect for use as a rail heritage museum and that it could cost RailCorp up to
$10 million to move some of the remaining rail engines and equipment.
“The site could be maintained as a tourist attraction
and heritage site, but the State Government just want’s to fob it off,” he
said.
A spokesperson for RailCorp said the department had no
interest in retaining the site as a working rail facility and museum for heritage
preservation.
What do you think should happen to the Large Erecting shop
and it’s contents? Contact us at editor@centralmag.com.au
Source:
Central of 27th February 2008