Issue 14 September 2013
Full Steam Ahead for the Yarra Valley Railway Key point • Yarra Ranges scored a significant tourism win with the awarding of funding for the re-opening of the Yarra Glen Healesville regional tourist rail reconstruction project.
with notable business leaders attending,
In June the previous Federal Minister for Regional Services, Catherine King announced that the joint Regional Development Australia Fund application bid by the Yarra Valley Railway (YVR) and Yarra Ranges Council had been successful. The $3.56 million in funding will assist YVR to complete the $9 million Yarra Valley Regional Tourist Precinct and Rail Link Reconstruction Project.
resources to the project and looks forward
The steam heritage railway will be a unique, historical and iconic drawcard for the region and is estimated to attract 200,000 visitors each year and generate $35 million in benefits to our community and local businesses. The importance of the project to the tourism product of the Yarra Valley was evident at the announcement
including representatives from the Healesville Chamber of Commerce, Rochford Winery, RACV Club and Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. Council has committed over $250,000 in to enjoying a continued and positive working partnership with Yarra Valley Railway (YVR) to see the railway become a reality. A cross section of senior Council officers from Capital Works, Recreation and Economic Development worked in unison to prepare the detailed Commonwealth funding bid. YVR Vice President Brett Whelan said that “community support continues to be tremendous. Once complete, the two towns of Yarra Glen & Healesville will ultimately benefit from the large inflow of tourists as the railway becomes a major drawcard for the region.”
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Melbourne’s East – which has Council representation through its Executive Officer, Economic Development, Simon O’Callaghan – chose this bid among other projects from Melbourne’s East. “The mix of wider ranging economic benefits and whole-of-government and community support was a strong factor contributing to the project’s ultimate success,” said Simon, “and we are excited about what this will do to the tourism industry in this region.” Work is now being ramped up to build the essential infrastructure that is required between Yarra Glen and Healesville and to refurbish the dilapidated Yarra Glen station to its original glory. To be updated on the project’s progress visit www.yarravalleyrailway. org.au.