New kitchen and EOI for Line of Lode Reserve

The NSW Government has completed the installation of a commercial kitchen at the Line of Lode Reserve at Broken Hill, to support its role as one of the Far West’s key tourist attractions.

Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure funded the project and awarded the tender to a local Broken Hill company, Mathew Barratt Electrical Pty Ltd, supporting local jobs and spending for the economy.

The upgrade, which will assist efforts to lease the building for local events, has included:

• Construction of an interior kitchen space at the reserve’s Broken Earth Complex, including wall linings and finishes, kitchen joinery, fixtures and services, and window blinds.
• Supply and installation of commercial grade cooking equipment, including ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers and food warmers.
• Supply and installation of commercial furniture to provide dining and seating areas.
• Installation of an operable wall to cater for storage, and also allow the wall to be moved for different size functions.

The installation and fit-out of the commercial kitchen and dining area follows the completion of other upgrades to the reserve last year including:

• Redesign and expansion of the Broken Earth Complex, new amenities and refurbished interior.
• Landscaping of the reserve, including native plantings, footbridges, granite pavements, stone clad retaining walls, concrete bleacher seating.
• Automated irrigation and installation of a reticulated water system for the reserve.

Crown Lands has commenced an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to find a commercial operator for the upgraded Broken Earth Complex. The building has enormous potential to be used as a conference, wedding and function centre, restaurant, café, or even an art gallery. 

Crown Lands Acting Director of Operations West, Sharon Hawke, said the commercial kitchen will make the venue more attractive to operators who want to run a food business in a unique location. 

“The Line of Lode has great tourism appeal and commercial kitchen facilities will assist efforts by Crown Lands to lease the Broken Earth Complex for use as either a restaurant, café, art gallery or for functions, to support Broken Hill and regional tourism,” Ms Hawke said.

“The continued investment in the Line of Lode, one of NSW’s and indeed Australia’s most unique Crown land reserves, is demonstration of the NSW Government’s support for the Far West.”

The Department is open to all types of proposals. The EOI is open until 30 April 2024 and expressions of interest or enquiries can be emailed to [email protected].