By STEVE GRAY
IT’S a huge, neglected, empty space, a vacuum in the middle of Warwick.
But plans are afoot which could see the old railway precinct turned into a cultural and visitor hub for the city.
Members of the Warwick and District Chamber of Commerce inspected the 1.2 hectare site and reinvigorated a dusty plan which would see the historic railway station become home to an art gallery, visitor centre and cultural or entertainment precinct.
President of the chamber, David Littleproud, said a sub-committee has been studying the potential of the Queensland Railway land.
The energetic Southern Downs Steam Railway occupies a corner of the site, but much of the rest is idle, especially the huge and historic goods shed.
Queensland Rail offshoot Aurizon operates a trucking depot from the old Goods Shed of sandstone, hardwood and steel.
“We’ve been looking at possible ways to bring in new business opportunities,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Obviously it’s an under-utilised resource that could be used in a number of different facets to encourage visitors to the Southern Downs.”
Mr Littleproud said the plan is only aspirational and conceptual at the moment.
“We have to put it in perspective of cost and what it will cost to the community, because it’s something the community will have to pay for,” he said.
Mr Littleproud said the art gallery and tourist information centre, a museum and cultural precinct could be housed there if there is sufficient community support.
“As a community we’ve probably underplayed its value. That’s why we need to have a conversation in the community about how we could utilise it better,” Mr Littleproud said.
“It’s definitely a great historical asset to the city.”
“We’ve also got remember it’s also the site of a major historical event in terms of the formation of the federal police,” Mr Littleproud said.
In 1917 Prime Minister Billy Hughes had an egg thrown at him on the platform during a bitter debate over conscription known as “The Warwick Incident”.
A local police officer declined to apprehend the offender and Hughes returned to Canberra where The Commonwealth of Australia Police Force was initially formed of “plain clothed” police officers on 7 December, 1917.
It was a precursor to the Federal Capital Territory Police Force formed in 1927 to police the Australian Capital Territory, A.C.T. Police in 1958, Commonwealth Police Force in 1975 and eventually the Australian Federal Police formed in October, 1979 after the Sydney Hilton bombing.
