Victoria’s Puffing Billy, the heritage railway in the Dandenong Ranges, is to receive a $8.2 million in funding for major works aimed at increasing patronage and bringing more business to the region.
A popular tourist attraction, Puffing Billy is reportedly currently running at visitation capacity, with more than 487,000 people travelling on the railway in 2016-17, 60 per cent of whom were overseas visitors.
For a non-profit, narrow gauge steam heritage railway, these patronage figures are the highest in the world.
Indeed, it is expected that, without new investment in strategic infrastructure, the railway would not be able to cope with the further increase in demand projected for the coming years.
The $8.2 million in funds provided by the Victorian government will be used to build a new discovery centre at Lakeside Station, which will feature educational and volunteer facilities, a café, and space to host events and meetings.
With construction to start before the end of 2018, the works will form the beginning of the first phase of a 10-year investment plan for the railway, which the organisation believes will need to carry out $78 million in works to preserve and enhance the service for the future.
It is expected that this investment would create a further 270 jobs and generate additional economic value capture of around $19 million to the region.
Currently, the railway delivers $10.2 million in value added economic activity, and provides 101 paid and 900 volunteer positions.