Southland’s Historic Tūātapere Railway Station Nears Restoration

• Tūātapere Historic Railway Station restoration progresses with a new milestone reached by the community board.
• The project, backed by $310,000 in funding, includes restoring buildings and enhancing the precinct.
• Community support and volunteer work have played a crucial role in preserving the station’s legacy.

The restoration of the historic Tūātapere Railway Station in Southland is moving forward, marking another milestone in the project. Originally established in 1909 as the end point of a railway route from Invercargill, the station lost its purpose following the line’s closure in 1976. However, the Tūātapere Te Waewae Community Board has stepped in to secure the future of this significant piece of local history.

In January 2023, the board successfully obtained up to $310,000 in Better Off funding to develop a rail tourism precinct at the site. Following this, the Southland District Council invited proposals, with the newly formed Tūātapere Railway and Heritage Trust Board being the sole compliant applicant. The trust’s vision involves restoring the station buildings, creating an information centre, and exploring commercial leasing opportunities to sustain the project.

Last week, the community board approved the trust’s proposal, contingent on the trust gaining charitable status. The board expressed its optimism, stating, “We look forward to seeing a revamped historic railway station and the precinct attracting visitors and locals to enjoy a vital part of Tūātapere’s history.”

A report presented at the meeting noted that some restoration work had already been carried out by community groups, including floor upgrades and weatherproofing. Community board chair Anne Horrell highlighted that the building has been used by various groups over the years, including a church youth group. She also acknowledged the significant contribution of local volunteers, who have completed over 100 hours of repair work in the past year.

The allocated $310,000 will be utilised for acquiring land behind the station if required, laying down rail tracks, installing a historic engine or carriage, enhancing the precinct’s aesthetics, and potentially relocating a water tank. The report also addressed a potential conflict of interest, with a community board member who is also a member of the trust stepping back from discussions and decisions related to the project.