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Historic Harvey whistle stop restored

Almost 80 years after it was built, the Harvey Railway Station is being given a new lease on life. A restoration project has been funded by Harvey Shire Council and a grant from Western Australia's Centenary of Federation State Committee The $38,000 project, comprising $12,000 from the Centenary of Federation Committee, means the railway station will be able to serve rail users better as well as house the local historical society's railway memorabilia collection in an apt environment.

Harvey Shire Chief Executive Officer Keith Leece said the building is a good example of architecture from the early 1900s that still exist on 'live' railway lines.

"This is one of the few remaining stations of its type," he said. "Most others had not been maintained and then they've fallen to the bulldozer.

"Harvey Historical Society has looked after the building for some time performing basic maintenance."

Keith Leece said the centenary celebrations funding has enabled Council to carry out restumping and treatment for white ants, landscaping, painting in heritage colours, and the addition of attractive hanging baskets on the platform. An extension has also been built to complement the existing building and upgrade its overall accessibility.

"The extension has improved access for people with a disability and the elderly," Keith Leece said.

"We also hope to turn the station into a working railway station where customers will be able to purchase tickets and products.

"The Perth to Bunbury line is a very active line with two services to Harvey per day. But there are rumblings afoot to introduce a faster train service which would increase the frequency of passenger traffic."

While there is already heavy freight traffic past the Harvey Railway Station, increased passenger traffic means the station would be an important tourist gateway to the town. Harvey is heavily into tourism, being located on the South Western Highway and two hours drive from Perth.

May Gibbs, creator of the bush babies Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, lived in Harvey in a cottage built in the early 1800s by Western Australia's first Governor, Sir James Stirling. A replica of the cottage has been built on the escarpment of the Harvey River. This houses an extensive display dedicated to May Gibbs and where over 30,000 visitors each year enjoy a fine home cooked meal and a stroll through the cottage's 19th century style gardens.

"We have a very progressive Main Street Committee that has plans to enhance Harvey's central business area," Keith Leece said.

"Underground power is to be installed in 2001 and extensive streetscaping works are also due for completion.

"Our restored railway station will feature prominently in the Centenary of Federation celebrations in Harvey Shire next year on Australia Day."

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