Colloquially known as the Stick Shed, this wheat storage shed was built in 1941-42 from 560-640 unmilled tree trunks, it was used to store grain which could not be exported during the war years. It is the earliest and the only remaining grain store built in Victoria during the early 1940s.
The Stick Shed is 265 metres long, 60.5 metres wide and 19-20 metres high, it is part of the Murtoa bulk grain handling site and is owned by the GEB. It was added to the Historic Buildings Register in 1990, and despite a couple of demolition applications, numerous studies and reports into its restoration, several patch repair jobs, nothing has been done about the final fate of the Stick Shed and it continues to deteriorate.
The Stick Shed is the largest building erected in Murtoa, on the Wimmera plains between Horsham and St Arnaud. Another similar structure, about half the size, was originally adjacent. Now the Grain Elevators Board receival centre stands beside the shed. It consists of numerous massive bunkers and wheat silos grouped together. They hold from 300,000 to 400,000 tons.
I found your post after google search of the stick shed which I love. I want to start a facebook group to lobby for the restoration - what do you think.
ReplyDeleteDid you also see the other 2 posts on the Stick Shed (you can go to the "labels" section on the side-bar and click on "Stick shed (3)"),
ReplyDeletewhich will show you that the State government has approved $1.2 million towards the restoration. I'd love to see the building repaired or at least made safe, if it isn't too far gone, in fact I hope it fared alright in the strong winds we had recently. I've heard nothing from the local community so assuming it is still intact!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI have started a facebook group and would like to send you an invitation to join if you are so inclined - email address would be all I need - so far I have about 10 members but it will grow. I am really enthusiastic about getting us city folk involved.
I'm not involved in/with facebook, but glad others are enthusiastic about the Stick Shed
ReplyDelete