Glen Innes Severn Council is calling on the community to contribute ideas for the future of the heritage-listed Glen Innes “Powerhouse,” a site rich in local history and industrial character.
At its Extraordinary Meeting on 7 March 2025, the Council agreed to subdivide the land at 148 Church Street. The rear portion—approximately 2,335 m²—encompasses the historic former Glen Innes Power Station and its adjoining sealed carpark.
Constructed with locally made bricks, the Powerhouse supplied electricity to Glen Innes from 1922 until 1956. It retains impressive architectural and industrial features, including arched windows, corrugated-iron annexes, and rare, partially operable machinery such as a Crossley-Premier heavy-oil engine, a Bellis 600 BHP diesel engine, British Thomson-Houston alternators, and operational travelling cranes.
The building is protected as a local heritage item under Schedule 5 of the Glen Innes Severn Local Environmental Plan 2012.
Recognising the site’s unique combination of historical significance and its location within the New England Renewable Energy Zone, the Council sees an opportunity to connect the region’s energy past with a sustainable future.
Rather than selecting a fixed plan, Council has outlined several potential themes to inspire public feedback:
Cultural and Creative Use
Art galleries, maker spaces, community studios, and heritage storytelling exhibitions, potentially in partnership with local schools, artists or festivals.
Education and Interpretation
A heritage or energy-themed museum or STEM workshops with interactive displays, possibly engaging with universities, TAFE or renewable energy zone providers
Hospitality and Events
A venue for weddings, workshops or community events, with ideas including a food-truck courtyard, themed café or outdoor activation of the carpark and surrounding space.
Commercial or Lease Use
Leasing to compatible private operators—such as in tourism, creative industries, education or wellness—through an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process, potentially activating the site while reducing ongoing management costs.
Hybrid or Staged Use
Combining one or more of the above in successive stages, starting small with initial low-cost activation and expanding over time
Residents are encouraged to use the Ideas Tool on the Have Your Say platform to view suggestions, add their own, and help the Council understand community priorities.
An Open Day will also be hosted at the site on Saturday 20 September from 9am until 4pm—an opportunity for residents to go inside the historic Powerhouse, explore the machinery, and discuss ideas with Council staff.
The community engagement period began on 13 August 2025 and will conclude on 30 September 2025; outcomes will be presented at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 23 October 2025.
