An expression of interest in the Beechworth Railway Precinct has so far received two submissions – one from Matt Pfahlert, representative for the new Beechworth Gaol owners.
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The Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship chief executive told The Border Mail he would comment on plans at a later date, as not to influence the EOI process.
Indigo Council mayor James Trenery said it was early days for building plans and further details would be tabled in a report.
“It’s exciting something’s going to happen but it’s only the first stage – it’s an EOI rather than a tender,” he said.
“A report on the submissions will go to council on September 13.
“If there’s a good plan, it will certainly move forward from that council meeting.”
Submissions closed on Monday for the site, which includes the former railway station building and terminal.
The railway building is used as the council’s Beechworth Youth Centre, at present, while the goods shed is unoccupied.
The council has committed $6000 to repairs at the Goods Shed but further works are required to make it suitable for use.
Cr Trenery told The Border Mail certain criteria would need to be met by any interested party.
“It’s important whoever might go in takes into account the current users there,” he said.
“We contacted all of them about what’s going on.”
Cr Trenery said further submissions could come through via post, but the amount of interest so far was to be expected.
“It was probably on par for what we understood to be out in the community at the moment,” he said.
“I think anything that enhances a centre in the Indigo Shire is a good thing and I think that’s what it will do.”
Foxgloves Bed and Breakfast owner Sheila Rademan said she was “quite happy to see the railway station being used by the community groups who use it now”.
“There really isn’t anywhere else that has the space or time for them in the community,” she said.
“They’ve been going along very happily and there’s never been a need until an expression of interest was put to council.”
The recommendation put to council in June to gauge interest in the site came from an inquiry into the building’s potential use.
Bernard Gaffney was the only councillor against the proposal, citing likely concern in the community about current user groups.
