Historic former police building returned to Broken Hill City Council and local Aboriginal community

Two historic 19th century buildings in Broken Hill will be put to community use with the NSW Government appointing the City’s council and the local Aboriginal native title group to manage different parts of the sites.

The Barkandji Native Title Group RNTBC has been appointed the Crown land manager of a Crown land site on Blende Street. The stately sandstone building was erected in 1890 and was formerly used by Broken Hill police for their forensic unit staff.

The Barkandji Native Title Group RNTBC will use the site as a cultural hub for the local Aboriginal community. They are planning to put in lounges to make the space more comfortable and culturally sensitive. The building could also be used as a base for local Aboriginal rangers to stay when they are not on-country.

Broken Hill City Council has been appointed the Crown land manager of an adjacent two-storey building on Argent Street. It was built in 1886 and operated as the Broken Hill police station for over 100 years.

Broken Hill City Council will, in the first instance, use part of the site as car parking space to complement the new Cultural Precinct incorporating the public library that is slated to be built on the adjoining lot.

The Council will clear the demountable buildings at the rear of the former police station and make the necessary adjustments to ensure this space can be used by the public.

The building will be managed by the Council, which is investigating several potential uses for the site, including as a museum.

Barkandji Native Title Group Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC CEO Luke Driscoll said they are considering their long-term plans for the building.

“Our short-term goals for the site are to turn it into a community hub where our mob can come in and have a conversation over a cup of tea and a biscuit. Having a dedicated space in the heart of Broken Hill will be a great opportunity for our community to engage with us,” Mr Driscoll said.

“We are also hopeful of expanding our ranger program from two to four, and having this property as a base for our operations would be extremely helpful. Our rangers do cultural and protection work on country, and we are so happy to have facilities at hand to help them do their job.”

Broken Hill Mayor Tom Kennedy said the handover is another important milestone in the Council’s plan to construct a new library for the people of Broken Hill.

“The direct management of this site by Council is another key milestone in delivering a new library for our community. We’ll retain the station in its current form and consider how that could be best utilised for the community in the future, but in the short term we’ll look to clear the temporary structures at the rear of the building to provide parking for the new library,” Mayr Kennedy said.

“It’s an important step in the new library project and I want to thank Crown Lands and NSW Police for working closely with Council to achieve this outcome.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said this decision will help the NSW far west region to flourish.

“Broken Hill is the jewel of the NSW Far West and the city and community will continue to thrive thanks to partnerships like this between Crown Lands, the local Aboriginal community and Broken Hill City Council,” Mr Butler said.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the Broken Hill community will benefit from these two buildings getting a new lease of life.

“These former police buildings served their community well from 1887 onwards and will continue to benefit the people of Broken Hill now they are under the stewardship of the local Aboriginal community and Broken Hill City Council,” Minister Kamper said.

“The Crown land estate is large and diverse and provides land for everything from land for housing, social and community infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.”