Author: Public Record Office Victoria
Works to conserve and restore historic buildings at Footscray railway station, as part of the Regional Rail Link project, are now complete.
“Restoration of the station's heritage-listed buildings has been undertaken in a way that ensures the significant architectural features of each building remain true to the period during which they were originally constructed,” Regional Rail Link CEO Allen Garner said.
New interpretive signage, which includes a series of photographs sourced from the Public Records Office Victoria, has been installed to share the story of the station’s important heritage status, with some of the current buildings dating back to the early 1900s.
The new signage also celebrates William Cooper (1860–1941), after whom the station footbridge is named. Mr Cooper was a former Footscray resident and a leading campaigner for the rights of Aboriginal and Jewish people during the 1930s.
Restoration works on the station buildings included replacing the roof with new Welsh slate, repairing gutters, windows and brickwork, and repainting to approved colour schemes. Restoration and repair of the heritage buildings was guided by a Conservation Management Plan commissioned by the project. The station buildings at Footscray are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) as a place of State significance.
Free heritage tours
Project staff will be hosting tours of the heritage buildings as part of the Footscray Celebrates Festival that will be held on Saturday 15 November.
From 11am until 1.30 book into free 15 minute tours on McNab Avenue (alongside Footscray Station) exploring the station's new design as well as efforts around heritage restoration.
Original photographs
Flick through photos used within the new interpretive signage on our Facebook page.
Search Historic Rail Photographs
If you'd like to see old photographs of your local train station, try searching the Public Transportation Corporation photographic index.
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