Labor government introduces Railway Bill in parliament

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Replacing the Emerald Tourist Railway Act 1977 in Australia with the Puffing Billy Railway Bill. The Andrews government is trying to secure the future of the Puffing Billy Railway Bill by introducing it with the Australian parliament as a new legislation.

The bill will try and provide modern framework to make sure that operations and governance so it can operate more effectively and continue to draw visitors to the Dandenong Ranges and try to make the industry future-proof. The Puffing Billy is also planned to replace the current Emerald T Tourist Railway Act 1977, in order to attract more tourists to Victoria.

The Emerald Tourist Railway Board renamed the Puffing Billy Railway Board as per the Bill. This will also result in the board taking on more responibilites to make this region a popular tourist attraction. Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley businesses will be supported by the Puffing Billy’s partnerships which will help these businesses grow. The wineries and gourmet producers in these regions will be given opportunities to showcase the region and their products to visitors.

The restoration of trains is an important focus of this bill. The bill also recognises the importance of the 300 volunteers, and their invaluable contribution to the running and preservation of the historic railway.

The Dandenong Ranges has been home to Puffing Billy Railway for 121 years and open-air steam train preserves Victoria’s railway history. The generations of families making lifelong memories in this region are much-loved tourist attractions. The Puffing Billy railways has attracted around 500,000 visitors annually prior to the pandemic.

The Lakeside Visitor Centre, is a $24.8 million state-of-the-art facility. It returns the time-honoured tradition of sitting on the sills and provides a unique and world-class experience for tourists, day-trippers and school groups.

Puffing Billy is supported by 300 volunteers and two thirds of its suppliers are Victorian companies ensuring the local connectivity and growth with the railways.

Mr. Martin Pakula, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events in a statement has said that the railways is a favourite destination for Victorians and international visitors for well over a century. The local businesses still get the benefits from this attraction today. It ill improve the management of the railway and ensure its success for years to come. It will also increase the obs and flow-on opportunities for local businesses.

Harriet Shing, the Member for Eastern Victoria, has said that families from all over the world have discovered the magic of a steam train ride for over a century. This railway has been the gateway to the most beautiful scenery in Australia. She believes that the Puffing Billy Railway Bill will ensure this iconic experience can continue well into the future.

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