The NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance joined the Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey to announce the good news.

The peppercorn lease will allow the local non-profit group, Hastings Gateway Limited, to take possession of the property and restore it for a museum and other community purposes.

“This is a huge win for the Wauchope community, having also recently been granted $30,000 towards the restoration of the cottage through a Community Building Partnership Grant,” Mr Constance said.

“The cottage hasn’t been used for some time, yet this project is a wonderful example of how our transport heritage can be given a new life to be a part of the community.”

Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey said the agreement means the station precinct will remain at the centre of the community, as it has done since the early 1900s.

“It dates from a time when there was little motorised road traffic and the station was the vital hub for freight and travel to and from the Hastings Valley,” Ms Pavey said.

“We want to preserve that flavour and this agreement provides a perfect opportunity to make that vision a reality,” she said.

Hastings Gateway Ltd has been set up for charitable purposes to advance education, culture, local history and appreciation for railway heritage.

Ray Cooper from Hastings Gateway said the project includes plans for a new visitor information centre, community gardens, café and a display of the Henry Kendall collection of fine wood arts and crafts.

The cottage was built in 1902 and was originally a police station and courthouse before the railway was built beside it in 1915.

”We hope it will be the start of a memorial to all timber workers, dairy people and railway staff,” he said. 

The announcement comes following the release of the NSW Government’s draft Future Transport 2056 strategy which is open for comment until December 3.