Railway group faces displacement as Tasmania government plans fire station sale
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The Launceston and North East Railway group and its associated Men's Shed in Karoola, Tasmania, learned the government intends to sell the former fire station they have maintained for four years.
In 2022, the group began restoring the neglected building, which became central to their activities and allowed them to undertake projects they previously couldn’t.
The Tasmania Fire Service determined the station is no longer needed and approved a public sale, despite a previous understanding with the group that suggested a potential transfer of ownership. Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Jeremy Smith informed the group’s chair, Elizabeth Cute, of the decision in July, explaining the sale would be conducted transparently to achieve a fair market price.
While the group can continue using the station until it sells, they are not financially able to purchase the property themselves. A spokesperson for the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management confirmed the group had occupied the site informally without a formal lease, but encouraged them to participate in the bidding process. Members of the railway group expressed disappointment, citing a prior verbal agreement and a perceived decline in the value of a handshake.
