Dismay over long-term maintenance issues at Malmsbury railway station precinct will be raised with authorities after Macedon Ranges council lent its support to a community campaign.
Cr Jennifer Anderson said a lease of the station’s historic buildings to a private tenant had been recently renewed by owner VicTrack.
‘‘There are concerns amongst locals and the historic society that the buildings, previously leased to the same person, are not being well maintained,’’ she said in a notice of motion at last Wednesday’s council meeting.
‘‘Members of the society have been unsuccessfully trying to contact VicTrack and Heritage Victoria regarding how maintenance can be enforced.’’
Malmsbury Heritage Society secretary Mike Todd said the condition of the 1862 station and its surrounds had been a problem since the station was closed in 1978.
‘‘It’s a real blight on the town,’’ he said.
Though closed, the station remains an active stop on the Bendigo line.
The society believes the buildings could be upgraded for use as a station shelter or community hub.
A Heritage Victoria spokeswoman said maintenance of the precinct was an issue for its owner. VicTrack did not respond by deadline.
