Hay Railway Station and yard group

Item details


Name of item:	Hay Railway Station and yard group
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -34.4993662018 Long: 144.8427445980
Primary address:	Narrandera-Hay railway, Hay, NSW 2711
Local govt. area:	Hay
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Hay

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	12	DP	812034
LOT	13	DP	812034
LOT	14	DP	812034
LOT	15	DP	812034
LOT	16	DP	812034
LOT	17	DP	812034
LOT	18	DP	812034
LOT	4	DP	812034
LOT	5	DP	812034
LOT	7	DP	812034

Boundary:

The listing boundary is within the rail property boundary along Showground Road to the north, Murray Street to the south, Cobb Highway to the east, and the property boundary of Lot 202 DP 756755 to the west.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Type
Narrandera-Hay railway	Hay	Hay	Primary Address
Murray Street	Hay	Hay	Alternate Address
Showground Road	Hay	Hay	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government	02 Nov 98

Statement of significance:


	Hay is a very significant railway site in the State system. The station building reflects political developments between the States and interstate rivalries that resulted in the construction of a grand building at an important freight site. The whole complex indicates the importance of the site in the production of wool and the policy of shipping it to Sydney rather than through the southern states. The line was opened in response to an agressive economic Victorian policy offering special rebates for shipping grain through Victoria. There was an unstated plan for the line to be extended to adelaide through Hay and the scale of the building is evidence of this. The buildings are of very high quality with fine detailing and are among the most important structures in the State. It is the only first class station in the State not to be built on a main line or at a major junction which gives it added significance. All of the buildings and structures at Hay are of high significance and it is important that the site be retained as a whole.
	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


Construction years:	1881-1882
Physical description:	BUILDINGS The station contrasts with the scale of the town and is a landmark in Hay (RNE, 1978). Station building - type 5, first class station building brick 1882, RNE, LEP A grand and very decorative design, in Victorian Free Classical style architecture. Constructed of painted bonded brick with stucco decoration, Four types of bricks are used, some of them local and the others from outside Hay. Roofs are hipped and clad with corrugated iron (originally apparently slate) and there is cast iron ridge cresting (RNE, 1978). The station is symmetrical and consists of a double storey central section (interestingly, the plans do not show an upstairs room) with single storey side wings linked by verandahs (from the entrance side the station is of Palladian form) (ibid, 1978). Beyond the side wings, brick walls connect with yet another wing at each end. Corbelled brickwork forms brackets beneath the eaves. Openings are round headed and there is stucco to surrounds and keystones; the sills beneath the windows are bracketted. Quoins are rusticated. The front verandahs to either side of the central section have cast iron posts with lace brackets and frieze (rne, 1978). Verandah columns on the platform are of cast iron (ibid, n.d.). There is a cast iron balustrade in front of the main entrance. Dormer vents with finials protrude from the roof of the main section. Chimneys have bracketted cornices. On the platform side, the platform verandah is very distinctive in that it consists of a series of seven scalloped sections clad with corrugated iron. There is a timber valance to each section. The verandah is supported by iron lattice beams, and there are iron posts with decorative brackets. The platform is paved with diamond pattern paving. This is the only station verandah of this scalloped design in the state (RNE, 1978). Waiting rooms, cloakrooms and rest rooms were incorporated into the main building (ibid, n.d.) Residences - Former station master's, type 3, brick with pyramid roof type 3, 1881 (RNE, 1978: ibid, n.d. says 1882), Murray St, LEP - (sold c.1994. not included in SHR listing). Located in front of the station. A brick, single storey cottage, with iron hipped roof and bullnose verandah. (RNE, 1978) and timber verandah posts (ibid, n.d.) with garden at the front. Goods Shed - 60' x 16' through shed with awning corrugated iron STRUCTURES Platform face - brick LEP Water tank - timber framed rivetted steel tank, 1881, Albion Engine Works Pyrmont, LEP Jib Crane, LEP
Modifications and dates:	1983 - last passenger train ran in 1983, after 101 years of service. 1984 - the goods service was closed in November. 1992 - station was restored (again) in 1992 to its original heritage colours, c1994 - former Station Master's Residence was sold and is not included in the SHR listing) 2003-04, State Rail renovated the exterior roofing and paving of the platform (ibid, n.d.). Hay Railway Station is currently leased from State Rail by the Hay Shire Council. It is then sub-leased by Hay Tourism and Development Inc., Centrelink, South West Arts and 2HAYFM, the local community radio (station). It is also home to the Prisoner of War & Internment Camp (Duneira Boys and Italian-Australians) Interpretive Centre. Visitors are welcome to inspect the station and the area has been landscaped around the building (ibid, n.d.).


Current use:	Arts and community group users (arts, radio station, toruism group, POW Internment Camp interpretation centre).
Former use:	Aboriginal land, railway station (goods and passengers)

History

Historical notes:

British occupation of the area
In 1829 Charles Sturt and his men passed along the Murrumbidgee River on horses and drays. During the late-1830s stock was regularly overlanded to South Australia via the Lower Murrumbidgee. At the same time stockholders were edging westward along the Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, Billabong and Murray systems. By 1839 all of the river frontages in the vicinity of present-day Hay were occupied by squatters. By the mid-1850s pastoral runs in the western Riverina were well-established and prosperous. The nearby Victorian gold-rushes provided an expanding market for stock. The prime fattening country of the Riverina became a sort of holding centre, from where the Victorian market could be supplied as required. (Wikipedia entry on Hay, 17/1/07)

The locality where Hay township developed was originally known as Lang's Crossing-place (named after three brothers named Lang who were leaseholders of runs on the southern side of the river). It was the crossing on the Murrumbidgee River of a well-travelled stock-route (known as 'the Great North Road') leading to the markets of Victoria. In 1856-7 Captain Francis Cadell, pioneer of steam-navigation on the Murray River, placed a manager at Lang's Crossing-place with the task of establishing a store (initially in a tent). In August 1858 steamers owned by rival owners, Francis Cadell and William Randell, successfully travelled up the Murrumbidgee as far as Lang's Crossing-place (with Cadell's steamer Albury continuing up-river to Gundagai)(Hay Council, SHI nomination, 2006).

By October 1859 "Hay" had been chosen as the name for the township [after John Hay (later the Hon. Sir John), a wealthy squatter from the Upper Murray, member of the NSW Legislative Assembly and former Secretary of Lands and Works] (Wikipedia, 17/1/07). Hay... was gazetted as a town in 1859. (DUAP et al, Regional Histories, pp194).(ibid, 2006).

Having enjoyed the benefits of the Riverina region's river trade, the Government of Victoria in the 1870s aggressively pushed railway lines across the broder into New South Wales. Most of the Riverina's high quality wool was thus channelled through the Melbourne Wool Sales (Richards, 1982, 78).

By the 1870s, export of wool by river steamers from the Hay district to Victoria was becoming a concern to the government in Sydney. Also, in 1870 the Deniliquin-Moama Rail Company extended the Victorian (state rail) gauge line to Deniliquin. In an attempt to counter this loss of trade to Victoria, the NSW government decided to extend the railway system to Hay from Narrandera and offer attractive freight rates (Hay Visitors' Centre, n.d.).

Hay Railway Station:
Tenders were called in 1880 to build the line and erect Hay Railway Station (ibid, n.d.) The NSW government built a line from Junee through Narrandera to Hay; which was completed in 1882. The size and elaborate decoration of the station at Hay, a relatively small country town, have led to the belief that the buidling was intended for a bigger centre (Richards, 1982, 78). The plans for the Hay Station were approved on 2 November 1881, and the builder was Charles Hardy. It was built during the height of railway development in New South Wales, the years 1880-85 being considered the Boom years of rail extension in the colony (RNE, 1978). It was opened with great ceremony on 4 July 1882 (ibid, n.d.).

The Carrathool-Hay section of the line was opened on 4 July 1882. The line resulted in a higher proportion of Riverina trade going to Sydney (though Victorian competition remained strong) and also played a part in the demise of the riverboat trade (ibid, 1978).

In the late nineteenth century, several grand buildings representing Hay's aspirations to become the capital of the Riverina were built. However inter-colonial disputes over trade thwarted these aspirations and instead of booming Hay remained small and isolated, but importantly connected to Sydney via a rail line (Hay Council SHI nomination 2006).

The station celebrated its centenary in 1982 and the last passenger train ran in 1983, after 101 years of service. The goods service was closed in November 1984. It was restored (again) in 1992 to its original heritage colours, and in 2003-04, State Rail renovated the exterior roofing and paving of the platform (ibid, n.d.).

The station still has its 1882 station master's cottage and garden at the front (Stuart Read, observation).

Hay Railway Station is currently leased from State Rail by the Hay Shire Council. It is then sub-leased by Hay Tourism and Development Inc. (which has since moved next to the Hay Visitors' Information Centre, downtown: Stuart Read, observation), Centrelink, South West Arts and 2HAYFM, the local community radio (station). It is also home to the Prisoner of War & Internment Camp (Duneira Boys and Italian-Australians) Interpretive Centre. Visitors are welcome to inspect the station and the area has been landscaped around the building (ibid, n.d.).

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.	Other open space-
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-
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.	Cultural: Plains and plateaux supporting human activities-
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.	Modification of terrain-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Private farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Clearing land for farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Attempting to transplant European farming practices to Australian environments-
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	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes and parklands of distinctive styles-
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	Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Providing a venue for significant events-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them.	Exploring and surveying for the Crown-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Modifying landscapes to increase productivity-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Modifying landscapes to increase productivity-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Servicing the pastoral industry-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Servicing the pastoral industry-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Agisting and fattening stock for slaughter-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Technology-Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences	Technologies for adapting road transport to rail systems-
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-
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	River Transport-
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	Rail transport-
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 and maintaining the public railway system-
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	Development in response to railway lines-
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	Bridging rivers-
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	Travelling to and within remote areas-
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	Engineering the public railway system-
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	Administering the public railway system-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Accommodating travellers and tourists-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Adapted heritage building or structure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Architectural design-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	1820s-1850s land grants-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Townships-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Suburban Centres-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Closer Settlement-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Early farming (sheep grazing)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Granting Crown lands for private farming-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Resuming private lands for public purposes-
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	Role of transport in settlement-
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-
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	Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
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	Creation of railway towns-
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	Developing government towns-
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	Developing the social life of a rural community-
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	Cultural Social and religious life-
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	A quiet Rural District-
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	Impacts of railways on rural development-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Railway work culture-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working on the land-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working with animals-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working on pastoral stations-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working independently on the land-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working on public infrastructure projects-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Workers organising workers-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	State government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - administration of land-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and administering rail networks-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Developing cultural institutions and ways of life-National Theme 8
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Applying architectural design to utlilitarian structures-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing structures to emphasise their important roles-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	This item is assessed as historically rare. This item is assessed as scientifically rare. This item is assessed as arch. rare. This item is assessed as socially rare.
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.

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

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		01167	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register
Local Environmental Plan	Hay Local Environmental Plan 2011	I16	09 Dec 11
National Trust of Australia register	Hay Railway Station Group	2925, 2927, 2928	25 Jul 77
Register of the National Estate	Hay Railway Station	765	21 Mar 78

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
National Trust Country Register	0		National Trust of Australia (NSW)		No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Hay Tourism & Development Inc.		Hay Railway Station (leaflet)
Written	Richards, Bill	1982	The National Trust in New South Wales

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:	5012053

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