MEDIA RELEASE

25 October 2005

Plans to protect Newmarket rail station get rolling

Auckland City Council is talking to Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) about opportunities for retaining the Newmarket rail station and signal box.

This follows concern that the buildings, both built in 1909, would be demolished once work starts on the reconfiguration of the railway track and station upgrade.

Councillor Christine Caughey, chairperson of the Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee, says that formal heritage assessments of the buildings indicate both would receive a category B heritage status. "This would give district plan protection against removal, damage or alteration to the building," she says.

"We have considered scheduling the two buildings. However, we believe it would be more productive to talk to ARTA with the goal of retaining and restoring the two buildings.

"While it is essential to get Auckland moving with significant rail and station improvements, there is an important place for our traditional rail stations," she says.

The Newmarket and Remuera rail stations are the only timber and ironwork stations in Auckland city that remain largely intact.

Councillor Caughey says that while the station and signal box have been compromised by changes, both are worthy survivors valued by the community.

ENDS

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