Council grants $50,000 for historic railway station re-roofing

A grant of $50,000 to re-roof the historic Henderson Railway Station was today made by Waitakere City Council.

The Council’s Culture and Community Committee agreed to grant $50,000 to the Henderson Heritage Trust (HHT) to assist with making essential repairs to the station building, ensuring it remains weathertight and structurally sound until a lease agreement can be reached with the New Zealand Railways Corporation (ONTRACK).

The HHT, which has worked in partnership with the Council to achieve the successful restoration of local buildings such as the Falls Hotel and St Michael’s Chapel, wishes to restore the station for use as office space. However, it needs to demonstrate ownership of, or long-term lease arrangements for, the building in order to secure additional funds from charitable trusts, such as ASB, Lotteries and The Trusts.

Committee chairman, Councillor Judy Lawley, says while the station was re-painted in 2007 as part of a quick make-over, significant work is now needed on the building to halt its decay and to restore it to its former glory.

“The station is a key building in the Henderson town centre and is listed as a Category I heritage item,” she says.

“The Council will do all it can to make an appreciable difference to the long-term viability of the station, not only by offering a $50,000 grant to re-roof the building but by offering support in negotiating a lease.

“Not providing this support might force the Trust to abandon the station building, leaving it open to vandalism and loss.”