A NOT-for-profit railway society will continue to establish its headquarters in Orange after it had more than $24,000 in rates wiped.
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Lachlan Valley Railway took over the former NSW railways engine shed site and turntable at East Fork in January last year with the goal of housing its two steam engines, nine diesel engines and historic carriages.
LVR has previously run public trips to Geurie, Manildra and Kandos and is working towards monthly shuttle runs to Molong and Stuart Town and weekend tours to Dubbo, Parkes and Bathurst.
However, the agreement with John Holland included covering rates on the land.
Secretary-treasurer John Healey said LVR paid rates at its previous base at Cowra, but could not meet the cost at Orange.
“It’s $2500 a quarter, compared to $1000 a year at Cowra,” he said.
But an application to waive the rates was successful, with Orange City Council also voting to exempt the Peisley Street property for the duration of the licence.
“[If the council said no], we would have had to seriously consider pulling out of the site,” Mr Healey said.
“It would have been heartbreaking because we’ve been looking for a main line home for nine years, since they closed the line to Cowra.”
The process has still taken a toll on LVR’s membership in Orange, with the group of 24 dwindling, although Mr Healey said the volunteers had improved security and painted the buildings.
“They were discouraged about the lack of progress and they stopped coming in on a regular basis, but a few of those guys have put an extra hand up to mow the lawns and keep an eye on the place,” he said.
“What’s going to bring people back is when we’re able to bring the rolling stock in.”
The next challenge will be upgrading 400 metres of track from the main line at the west fork to the depot.
Mr Healey said member for Orange Philip Donato had already indicated he would lend his support for state government heritage grants and LVR would seek strong volunteers and Work for the Dole input to finish the project.
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