Queensland Rail is undertaking a restoration of the iconic Shorncliffe station. The project involves repairs to the station building's foundations and walls, replacing the roof, cleaning and painting surfaces, restoring the air raid shelter and constructing a new staff operations facility.
Queensland Rail is prioritising heritage considerations as the project progresses through design and implementation stages, reflecting community feedback received during the consultation phase.
Investigations and design works
In 2018, Queensland Rail completed the new staff operations facility for train crew and established temporary ticket facilities and platform access at the station. The project team then began investigations into the structure of the original building to help inform the scope of works for the major heritage restoration.
During these first stages of the project, hundreds of objects were uncovered in the subfloor of Shorncliffe train station. Initial assessment of the heritage items – including train tickets, clothing, newspapers and bottles – suggest the items date back to the 1950s.
Independent heritage assessors Niche Environment and Heritage were engaged to assist Queensland Rail to safely remove the items from the subfloor, catalogue them and ensure all activities met best practice heritage investigation processes.
Watch a quick video on the excavation process below.
Construction timeframe
While undertaking the initial investigative works, Queensland Rail also detected structural issues with the station building, which will need to be addressed through bracing and staged works as part of the restoration project.
The impact of the heritage discoveries and structural issues have meant Queensland Rail is reassessing the project timeframes to include these changes to scope. While these extra works will affect the project timelines, it's extremely important that we get this project right and treat this 1912 building – and piece of our local history – with respect.
Our team will undertake further excavations following the removal of heritage items and once this work is complete, Queensland Rail will provide a detailed update for the community.
Detailed design will follow this activity and Queensland Rail will share the designs for community feedback.
Temporary ticket office and platform access
The temporary ticket office and new platform access to the west of the station building will remain in place while the station's restoration works continue.
Keeping you informed
Queensland Rail is committed to keeping stakeholders and the community informed about this project. For more information, please call 13 16 17 between 7.15am and 5pm Monday to Friday or email communityengagement@qr.com.au
Keeping you informed
Queensland Rail is committed to keeping stakeholders and the community informed.
For more information, contact Queensland Rail’s customer feedback team on
13 16 17, 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or email
communityengagement@qr.com.au
Resources
Project information
Shorncliffe open day - 17 July 2021
PDFProject update - July 2020
PDFProject update - October 2019
PDF