Flinders Street Station

Why is it important?

Flinders Street Railway Station is of historical significance as the centre of the suburban railway system and a major landmark building of the city and State.  When completed, its imposing scale symbolised the importance of the railways to Melbourne and the primacy of Melbourne within the State, representing, perhaps, the climax of public investment in railway infrastructure at a time when the railways were flourishing. Flinders Street Railway Station is of social significance as possibly the best known and most heavily used public building in Melbourne.  The steps under the clocks at the main entrance have been a popular meeting place for generations of Melburnians, and the Station has a treasured place in the consciousness of many of the city's inhabitants. 

Why is it at risk?

In 2005 The Department of Infrastructure asked the Committee for Melbourne to prepare a business case for community use of the vacant spaces within the main building.  The report estimated $10 million was needed for base building repair costs.  With no work undertaken, except some roof repairs, in 2010 that figure has inevitably risen.  The Business Case guiding principles were to “halt the continued deterioration in one of Melbourne’s most culturally significant buildings and to re-awaken interest not just in the façade but in its heart.”  The report made clear that returning the building to an important social hub for whatever purpose would, not unexpectedly, need subsidy.

The redundant section of the station building is a prime example of the opportunity for investing in re-use of historic places.  Located as it is at a transport hub, the opportunities presented for re-use are clear if sufficient leadership and commitment is provided to determine a viable future by its owner, the State government.  The relatively modest initial investment required to provide such an iconic city centre space for business start up and community activity in the unused space at Flinders Street would repay itself handsomely in future years.  The Business Case stated: “There would appear to be a case for taking the decision to complete the basic capital work common to all options while a process to decide the management model is undertaken.”

What needs to be done?

2010 is the 100th anniversary of the building and the Trust publicly called on the government to seriously engage in the future of this remarkable building, to undertake urgent repair works to the neglected one-third of the building, and explore a variety of uses for the spaces available.