A historic building in the heart of Armidale will be given a new lease on life this morning, with the grand opening of “Trackside” scheduled to begin at 10.15am.
The former Cadets Building on Brown Street has been fully refurbished and repurposed as a crisis accommodation and support hub, thanks to a partnership between Transport for NSW and the Transport Asset Manager of NSW. The facility will be managed by Women’s Shelter Armidale (WSA) and will provide short-term housing and essential services for people in the region experiencing homelessness or hardship.
The opening event will feature a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, official speeches, and guided tours of the newly renovated facility. Members of the public are invited to attend and explore the space, which includes counselling rooms, training areas, a chill-out zone, a commercial kitchen, and laundry facilities.
The transformation of the once-vacant building into a vibrant, purpose-built service centre is part of the Transport for NSW Renewal and Heritage Program, which reinvests in disused public infrastructure to deliver meaningful outcomes for local communities.
Construction of Trackside began in November 2024 and was completed in May 2025. The works were carried out by Bluewater Group, an Indigenous-owned and operated construction firm, and supported by a number of local subcontractors. The project provided a boost to the local economy, creating jobs and injecting new life into a well-known site near the railway station.
WSA will operate Trackside as a safe space for individuals and families in crisis, providing wraparound support to help clients transition into stable, long-term housing. The facility is designed to meet the complex needs of people facing housing insecurity, with a focus on dignity, safety, and empowerment.
Parking is available on the street and at the nearby railway station for those attending this morning’s event, which is expected to run until midday.
Transport for NSW has thanked the Armidale community for their patience and support during the refurbishment process. The reopening of the Cadets Building as Trackside is seen as both a practical and symbolic milestone—honouring the heritage of the site while responding to contemporary community needs.
More information about the project and ongoing updates can be found at www.transport.nsw.gov.au/armidale-cadets-building
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