Who are the Port Milang Historic Railway Museum Association?

    The Port Milang Historic Railway Museum Inc. formed in 1990 and has grown steadily over the years through the dedication of its local volunteer community members. They hold a lease with Council to provide Historic Railway Museum and associated activities on Daranda Terrace Milang.

    The Group has transformed the Museum site into a significant, appealing visitor destination with new attractions and family friendly activities such as the South Australian Light Railway Centre and interactive exhibits, along with their craft shop and Cafeteria Car.

    To support the work on this site, the Group have requested to use a portion of public land located at Milang Road, Milang (corner of Lyon Street and Marroo Street), for construction, restoration and storage purposes related to the operations of the Railway Museum on Daranda Terrace, Milang.

    More information on the Association can be viewed at https://milangrailway.org.au/

    Where is it located?

    The Group have requested to lease a portion of the land parcel located at Milang Road, Milang (corner of Lyon Street and Marroo Street), which can be viewed on the map here. 

    The land parcel is approximately 33 acres in total and relatively undeveloped. A portion of the land is occupied by the Milang Environmental Centre under a lease with Council. The Port Milang Historic Railway Museum are requesting to lease another portion of the land (approx. 5 acres) for an initial term of 10 years. The remainder of the reserve remains open to the public.

    What is the proposed Lease?

    The Port Milang Historic Railway Museum Inc. have provided a proposal to support their request which can be viewed here.

    The request is for a 10 year lease, which will be administered as an initial 5 year lease, with a renewal for a further 5 years. The lease would be a ‘community ground lease’ whereby all goods, improvements and activities that occur on the site would remain the ownership and responsibility of the Port Milang Historic Railway Museum. 

    If successful with obtaining a lease, the Incorporation’s first task will be the installation of a 6.1m x 9.1m x 2.4m high shed for storage purposes (subject to Development Approval).

    The proposed lease area includes a vegetation corridor along the eastern and southern boundary, which would be retained and protected within lease conditions. 

    What fees are associated with the proposed Lease?

    The annual rental fee for a Community lease is peppercorn ($1.00) per annum, as there would be no sales or commercial occupation of the site. This fee is in accordance with Council’s Lease and Licence Policy and Annual Fees and Charges. The Group would remain responsible for all building and maintenance costs, rates, service connections and outgoings.