One of Geraldton’s neglected, but much loved iconic structures is finally about to be given the restoration it deserves.

The significant Heritage listed building, Geraldton’s original first Railway Station on Marine Tce, is another step closer to being refurbished in preparation to house the Geraldton Visitor Centre - which is operated by the City of Greater Geraldton.

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council in Mullewa on Tuesday, (March 25) City of Greater Geraldton Councillors voted in favour to award the refurbishment and upgrade contract to Geraldton Building Services & Cabinets Pty Ltd.

Hocking Heritage Studio in conjunction with the State Heritage Office undertook the detail design.

City Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said the restoration will go a long way to revitalising the West End precinct.

“It will bring more life and tourists into the area and complement the Geraldton Foreshore and The Esplanade,” he said.

“Being able to advance this restoration has been made possible with a $1 million injection from Royalties for Regions, through the Mid West Investment Plan to house the Geraldton Visitor Centre.

“The cost of the restoration is in the region of $2.13 million. The City will provide $1.03 million with an additional $100,000 coming from the Federal Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund as part of the overall allocation for the West End Recreation and Entertainment Precinct Revitalisation Project,” said Mr Carpenter.

“The State Government owns the building and it is managed through the WA Department of Planning and Infrastructure and is leased to the City of Greater Geraldton.

“There have been two proponents interested in leasing the building in the past, but both have pulled out, so it is good to see it will finally get the treatment it deserves and as a bonus the City gets to use it.”

The work is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.