The students from the Built Environments faculty will be arriving on Friday the April 19 and will spend the weekend working on possible ways to reinvent the disused space. 

Local architect, Dylan Gower organised the project after pitching the idea to UNSW last year.

Mr Gower said the project should provide a good experience for both the students and the community.

“We’ll be setting up a shop front and we’re welcoming the public to come and have a chat and discuss their opinions with us,” he said. 

Walkers Hardware Store will provide the shop front site for the weekend and the community is encouraged to visit from 10am until 4pm on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 during the morning hours. 

The weekend is set to be a busy one for Canowindra with the staging of the Challenge, the Glow and the Night Food markets but Mr Gower said this will only add to the student’s experience.

“I believe the students will have a positive experience and it will give them an opportunity to see the town in action,” he said. 

Mr Gower said the project is an important one for Canowindra, with Country Regional Network currently developing a pilot strategy to find innovative uses for vacant railway heritage spots. 

“It’s their view that there may be a good opportunity for the UNSW project to lead to some real outcomes at Canowindra,” he said. 

Cabonne Council in conjunction with the Canowindra community will be working with the UNSW Built Environment’s “Out There” program to explore the variety of options for reclaiming the space.

The students will hear from a number of local organisations throughout the weekend including Cabbone Council, Lachlan Valley Rail, the Historical Society and President of the Canowindra Business Chamber, Eddy Wilkinson.