The former Station Master’s Cottage in Captains Flat will soon be demolished. Photo: Transport for NSW.
A heritage-listed building in the Queanbeyan-Palerang region will soon be demolished due to its levels of contamination, but there are plans to commemorate this piece of history.
The former Station Master’s Cottage is on Copper Creek Road in Captains Flat, southeast of Canberra.
The single-storey fibro-clad house was built around the same time as the Captains Flat Railway Station, which opened in 1940.
A local heritage listing says: ”Captains Flat is a good example of a terminus station from the last period of country railway construction before the system started to contract around WWII. The Station Master’s residence is a representative example from that era. Historic, aesthetic, social and representative heritage significance.”
The cottage was heritage-listed by the now-dissolved Palerang Local Council in 2014. However, in more recent years, Transport for NSW detected increased levels of lead dust and lead in its soil as a result of historical mining activities and rail operations.
The contamination came from the Captains Flat Rail Corridor and Lake George legacy mine, and in 2022 the site was declared by the NSW Environment Protection Authority to be significantly contaminated, an online document by Transport from 2023 says.
The residents of the cottage were relocated when the contamination was identified in January 2021.
Earlier this week, it was announced that due to the contamination, and following community consultation, Transport had determined to demolish the cottage and remediate the site.
To honour the cottage’s history and significance, Transport has launched an online survey inviting the community to contribute their local knowledge, personal stories and ideas for a permanent commemorative tribute.
“This initiative aims to preserve the site’s legacy for future generations,” a Transport spokesperson said.
“The survey seeks to gather public input to help create a meaningful tribute that acknowledges the site’s historical, cultural and community significance while considering budget and logistical constraints.
“Transport aims to ensure that the recognition of the site is shaped by local knowledge, with consideration given to feasible options that reflect themes such as Aboriginal heritage, rail history and community stories.”
A spokesperson for Queanbeyan-Palerang Shire Council said the council was concerned about preserving as much of the heritage in Captains Flat as possible.
“In March 2024, council wrote to the NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage requesting that the NSW Government ensures that heritage items in Captains Flat, particularly within the railway precinct, are considered holistically,” the spokesperson said.
“Council understands the decision to demolish the cottage, with high levels of contamination around the site and asbestos material in the cottage.”
The Transport spokesperson said the demolition of the cottage was planned for the 2025/26 financial year, subject to environmental approvals, with the commemorative tribute to be implemented after that.
The online survey is now open and residents have until 13 May to complete it and provide feedback, which will be assessed and summarised in a report to be published later this year.
“We understand that the commemorative tribute will be included in the Captains Flat Heritage Trail,” the council spokesperson said.
”We would like to ensure the commemoration is easily accessed by the community, with clear information about the history of the cottage and importance to the community.”
You can complete the survey by clicking here. To learn more about the project, click here.
