Launceston men's shed faces closure as fire station goes on sale
A volunteer men's shed serving about a dozen men a fortnight for mental health support loses its Launceston home.
The Launceston and North East Railway Men's Shed has operated four years from a decommissioned fire station near Launceston, serving men who credit it with saving their lives. Volunteers help about a dozen men a fortnight, some with histories of suicidal ideation.
Tasmania's Fire Service has declared the Karoola Fire Station surplus to requirements and approved its public sale. The shed has no formal lease; it occupied the space at no cost since the Fire Service abandoned it.
The group was given until August to vacate but appealed and won a stay until the property sells. When offered a formal lease, they refused to sign it.
The facility is the only men's shed operating between Rocherlea and Scottsdale in the region.
- Four years
- Years of operation
- About a dozen
- Men served per fortnight
- Karoola Fire Station, Launceston
- Building
- Rocherlea to Scottsdale
- Regional coverage gap
Why it mattersMen lose a mental health support hub they credit with saving lives; no replacement exists in the region.
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