Shire of Cue to gain ownership of Masonic Lodge from National Trust WA amid plans to restore building

A unique heritage-listed building in the Queen of the Murchison will be returned to the Shire of Cue’s ownership after the ongoing battle to preserve the purpose-built 1899 building. The Shire will regain ownership of the Masonic Lodge on Dowley Street and plan to bring one of the last buildings made of timber and galvanised iron back to life. Currently owned by National Trust of Australia, it is believed to be the largest freestanding, double-storey corrugated iron structure in the southern hemisphere. Cue Shire president Ross Pigdon said the Masonic Lodge was a purpose-built building rich in history and had a lot of potential, but nothing had been done to restore it. “It’s one of the most photographed buildings in the whole of Western Australia, we should make use of that as far as tourism. There’s none like it at all,” he said. Mr Pigdon said council had envisioned what to do with it and was in the process of obtaining the building. “I don’t know what (the National Trust) intended to do with it, but we can get grants to do something rather than it sitting there.” Mr Pigdon said the Shire had tossed up creating a pottery studio on the ground floor, holding Freemason’s memorabilia on the top storey and renovating a bathroom and kitchen to allow for meetings or conferences. National Trust WA CEO Julian Donaldson said the Trust had been in discussion with the Shire of Cue over the course of this year and would transfer the title of the building. “We agreed to transfer the title to the Shire of Cue. Our council has approved the transfer, and there’s really no more steps, it’s just about finalising the transfer and the Shire will be solely responsible for the care and maintenance of the building,” he said. Mr Donaldson said he couldn’t advise a timeframe but hoped the process would be finalised soon with an agreement any future planning will be run by the Trust. “Because the building is heritage-listed, we have agreed that the plans will be shared with the Trust and we will ensure the heritage values are preserved,” he said. “With a building as iconic as the Masonic Lodge, it is important those heritage values are maintained. We hope money spent on the building will make it an integral part of the Cue community. The Shire of Cue said it hoped the outcome would be finalised early next year.