Goulburn Railway Station, yard group and movable relics

Item details


Name of item:	Goulburn Railway Station, yard group and movable relics
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -34.7570550375 Long: 149.7212851370
Primary address:	Main Southern railway, Goulburn, NSW 2580
Local govt. area:	Goulburn Mulwaree
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Pejar

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	2	DP	1002813
LOT	4	DP	1006133
LOT	6	DP	1006133
LOT	8	DP	1006133
LOT	9	DP	1006133
LOT	1	DP	1187262
LOT	9991	DP	1221196

Boundary:

Goulburn Railway Precinct: The listing boundary for the station & railway yard precinct commences at the Blackshaw Road railway level crossing to the north, the eastern boundary follows the railway property boundary and the Blackshaw Road boundary, the southern boundary is the Sydney side of the Blackshaw Road underbridge and the western boundary is along Sloane Street. The listing excludes various parcels of privately owned land including the Pacific National depot off Blackshaw Road and the former railway workshops site and the Goulburn Railway Institute Bowling Club site on Sloane Street. The listing boundary for the signal box is the footprint of the building and 5m from the footprint in all directions Goulburn Roundhouse/Locomotive Depot: The listing boundary for the pumphouse near the corner of Sloane Street & Finlay Road is the footprint of the building. The listing boundary for the Roundhouse/Locomotive Depot is the fenced boundary as shown in the lease to the Goulburn Loco Roundhouse Preservation Society.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Main Southern railway	Goulburn	Goulburn Mulwaree			Primary Address
Sloane Street	Goulburn	Goulburn Mulwaree			Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government	29 Oct 98

Statement of significance:


	Goulburn railway precinct is of state significance as one of the earliest principal rail locations in NSW and has had continuous use as a major railway centre since the 1860s. The main station building (1869) is significant as the earliest 'first class' station building constructed in NSW. The railway station is a prominent public building in Goulburn that, along with other significant railway structures in the adjacent yard, is closely associated with the development of Goulburn in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The major railway buildings and other structures at Goulburn are integral to the history and identity of a town which has relied to a great extent on the railways for its growth and development for a large part of its history, with the railway being the major employer for much of Goulburn's history. Other significant items within the Goulburn railway precinct include the former Station Master's residence (1869), the former Gatekeeper's residence on Blackshaw Road (c1869), the c1891 barracks, the former carriage and per way workshops (part of which remain in private ownership), and the former administrative headquarters on Sloane Street. The Goulburn barracks building is an excellent representative example of 1890s railway barracks construction, is one of the oldest extant railway barracks in NSW, and is associated with an important historical phase in the history of NSW: the rapid development of the NSW railway network in the late 19th century. It is important as an example of a standard 19th century railway design, and along with the two residences at Goulburn, is significant as a group that collectively demonstrate the custom of providing accommodation for railway staff.
	Date significance updated: 12 Sep 12
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	William Mason
Builder/Maker:	J. Taylor
Construction years:	1868-1915
Physical description:	LANDSCAPE forecourt and plantings to Sloane Street including stone gutters BUILDINGS station buildings - No 1 platform type 5, first class building brick 1869, RNE, LEP, HS - Nos 2/3 type 11, initial island/side building of thirteen bays,1915, RNE, LEP refreshment rooms - brick building (part of island building) with clerestorey, plat 2/3, 1915 signal box - brick 2 storey with gable roof, 1970s residences - - station master's 7 Sloane St, type 4, 2 storey brick, 1868, RNE, HS - gatekeeper's 58 Reign St, type 1, brick and stone, 1868, RNE, HS - gatekeeper's 1 Blackshaw Rd, type 1, brick and stone, 1868, RNE, - HS railway barracks - brick in three pavilions, c. 1880, RNE, PCO, LEP, HS - standard barracks, 1891 admin offices for locomotive supervisor (former police barracks), 1912, RNE, PCO, LEP goods shed - through shed 146' x 45' corrugated iron c. 1870s, LEP locomotive straight shed - "Wellington Shed" built in Wellington 1in 1880 and transferred to Goulburn in 1930 roundhouse - brick and corrugated iron including turntable, 1916, RNE, HS workshops - perway and carriage workshops, c. 1881 STRUCTURES footbridge - 1894 footbridge over yard - 1899 water tank - near station water column - platform 2 south end, RNE, HS pumphouse turntable Mulwaree Ponds dam ARTEFACTS Cedar wall panelling, 6.2/2.3, (AW01), refreshment room Timber door panels, 2.1 high, (AD06), refreshment room Train controllers desk timber, 2.0/1.1/1.6, (TA06) area managers office
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	All buildings are generally in good condition.
	Date condition updated:04 Sep 13
Modifications and dates:	c. 1870s goods shed - through shed 146' x 45' corrugated iron c. 1880 HS railway barracks - brick in three pavilions c. 1881workshops - perway and carriage workshops 1891 standard barracks 1894 footbridge 1899 footbridge over yard 1912 admin offices for locomotive supervisor (former police barracks) 1915 added Nos 2/3 type 11, initial island/side building of thirteen bays, refreshment rooms - brick building (part of island building) with clerestorey, plat 2/3 1916 roundhouse - brick and corrugated iron including turntable 1930 locomotive straight shed - "Wellington Shed" built in Wellington 1in 1880 and transferred to Goulburn in 1930 1970s signal box - brick 2 storey with gable roof
Further information:	revise 1993 CMP (Jyoti Somerville architectural conservation consultant and Rod Howard Heritage Conservation P/L)


Current use:	Railway Station
Former use:	Railway Station

History

Historical notes:

Railway gardens developed in Australia following the introduction of this new transport mode in the 1850s. The network, initially private but increasingly state-run, soon covered vast distances and every town on the line had a railway station and majy major centres had locomotive depots or railway workshops. Staff levels were high and there were often long hours between trains when employees could beautify their often harsh surroundings. The railway station was regarded as the 'front door' of the town, and station gardens exemplified the fraternity among garden lovers and those who wish to make their own and their workmates' surroundings 'pleasant and uplifting'. At important early railheads such as Goulburn (NSW), the station and railway were integrated into the town's grid street pattern and marked with avenue (tree) planting (Betteridge 2000, 501).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	(none)-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building the railway network-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Railway Station-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Beautifying towns and villages-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Goulburn was one of the earliest major railway centres in NSW and is therefore associated with the earliest development of railway infrastructure in regional NSW in the 1860s. The construction of the line to Goulburn was a major milestone in the development of the railways during the 19th Century and opened up the pastoral industry in this region to new markets. The 1860s station building is significant as one of the earliest first class buildings constructed in NSW, indicating the importance of Goulburn as a major railway centre in the state. The barracks building is one of the earliest extant buildings of its type constructed in NSW, and along with the two railway residences at Goulburn, is significant as a group that collectively demonstrate the custom of providing designated accommodation for railway staff. The site is significant for its collection of buildings form various periods, demonstrating continuous railway activity on the site for almost 150 years
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The site is associated with John Whitton (‘Father of the NSW Railways’), through his achievement in completing the trunk lines to Goulburn. The line from Picton to Goulburn via Thirlmere is one of Whitton’s greatest triumphs throughout his career.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The 1860s station building is a significant and imposing landmark in Goulburn which demonstrates a high level of aesthetic significance. The building is a fine example of a first-class Victorian Italianate railway building, demonstrating the importance of railway development during the earliest period of railway construction. Aspects of the main buildings of special note are the original interiors including the interior of the refreshment room. The 1915 station building and railway refreshment rooms are significant for demonstrating a variation on a standard building type employed throughout NSW, adapted to accommodate the high level of traffic at Goulburn railway station. Several other items within the precinct are excellent examples of their type and demonstrate technical and/or aesthetic significance, particularly the Station Master's and Gatekeeper’s residences which are good examples of Victorian Gothic style domestic buildings. The roundhouse is of significance as a good example of a large scale industrial railway structure retaining much of its original fabric and form. The railway barracks building at Goulburn is aesthetically significant as an example of late 19th century standard railway architecture.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The major railway buildings at Goulburn are integral to the history and identity of the town which has relied on the railways to a large extent for its growth and prosperity, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The depot, in particular, employed a large number of people, many of whom still live in or near Goulburn.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The site has research significance as Goulburn once contained the most comprehensive group or railway buildings outside Sydney, representing most stages of railway development and technology. Much of this infrastructure remains. The roundhouse and associated structures are maintained and interpreted by a local rail heritage group, allowing public access to the roundhouse and surrounds. The collection of residential buildings within close proximity are of research potential by providing an insight into the variety of residences used to accommodate railway staff; providing a contrast between the simple, utilitarian barracks and the grand Station Master’s residence.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The site is rare as a large scale railway precinct, retaining the majority of its significant features. The Goulburn locomotive depot is rare as an excellent example of a largely intact locomotive depot in NSW, with the roundhouse being one of only seven remaining roundhouse buildings in NSW. The 1869 Gatekeeper's residence is a rare example of its type still in railway ownership and one of the earliest extant examples of its type in NSW. The footbridge is one of only a few surviving old rail truss footbridges, and is a good example of the effects of the economic constraints of the 1890s.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The site has representative significance for its collection of railway structures that collectively demonstrate widespread 19th and early 20th century railway customs, activities and design in NSW, and are representative of similar items that are found in many other railway precincts across the state. The c1890 barracks building is a good representative example of late 19th century barracks (rest house) design, displaying full length verandahs on two sides and other features typical of barracks design in the late 19th century. The 1860s station building is a fine example of the first class station buildings constructed throughout major NSW towns during the 19th Century. The 1915 station building is a good example of a standard (A8 - A10) early twentieth century station design with fabric, form and details typical of many other island platform buildings of the period.
Integrity/Intactness:	The station buildings, roundhouse, barracks building and several other significant buildings at Goulburn remain largely intact.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		01152	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Betteridge, Chris	2002	'Railway Gardens' (entry)	View detail
Written	Jyoti Sommerville	1993	Gouldburn Railway Station conservation plan
Tourism	Tourism NSW	2007	Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre	View detail

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5012022
File number:	EF11/05477

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