June 3, 2015
Anyone doubting the value of rail trails should have a chat to Blackbutt and District Tourism and Heritage Association president Barry Richardson.
The association has just organised the shifting of the original Nukku rail siding from Yarraman to Blackbutt – and their long-term plan is to turn into in a mini-cafe selling tea and coffee to the walkers, runners and riders who pass by on weekends along the trail.
While southburnett.com.au was at the building on Wednesday afternoon, a runner came along the trail after completing an 8km run, and then a short while later a mother pushing a stroller ran by, accompanied by another young child.
Barry said it was surprising the number of people who used the trail, especially at weekends.
The old rail siding building was shifted from Nukku to Yarraman by Barry’s aunt and uncle, Doug and Mavis Webber, many years ago.
It was positioned next to their house in Millar Street.
Doug ran a saddlery business and used the building as his workshop and storeroom.
When Doug died about 30 years ago, the building was shut up, complete with saddles still inside.
After Mavis died last year, the couple’s children Michael Webber and Jenny Maude donated the building to the Heritage Association.
It was shifted into its new home beside the old Nukku school building (now known as “Nukku Nook”) at the Rail Trail railhead in Blackbutt last week.
Shifting the building and re-stumping cost $10,000, which has been covered by a grant from Stanwell’s Tarong Community Partnership Fund.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done by volunteers before the two-room building can be put back into use.
The windows and interior door – taken out for the move – have to be refitted.
The roof needs some repairs, and there are also termites in the floorboards which means they will have to be replaced.
The Heritage Association also plans to build a station “platform” and stairs at the front of the building.
Barry said there was also a plan to lay a small amount of railway track in front of the building and mount an old railway hand-cart on the rail.
When the building is ready, the Heritage Association hopes to hold a “Back to Nukku” day for former residents.
