Cessnock City Council has supported the operations of the Richmond Vale Preservation Co-operative Society for over 40 years at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum, including free rent, community grants, funding support letters, along with repairs and restoration works on the site.
From 8 November 2023, Cessnock City Council sought required Work Health & Safety documentation from the Society, along with copies of relevant mandatory insurances. Following repeated requests, Council Officers issued a final request for these documents which was due in January 2024. Council granted the Society an extension on the due date, as per a request from the Society, and the documentation received on 29 February did not meet the necessary requirements to continue operations.
The cessation order was issued on Thursday 7 March 2024, with the Society given until Wednesday 20 March to update and provide the necessary risk management documentation. In the interim, there was no alternative other than to suspend operations to ensure public and volunteer safety.
Council has advised the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator about the matter, and will continue to work with them to ensure safety at the site, and assist the Society to meet its obligations.
An ongoing offer has been made to the Society to meet and discuss how they can comply with safety and risk management obligations.
The offer has not been taken up by the Society at this stage.