Eamonn Seddon says Puffing Billy will remain on track. 70570Picture: Donna Oates
By Casey Neill
NOTHING will derail the Dandenongs’ favourite steam train – Puffing Billy.
This was the word from Emerald Tourist Railway Board CEO Eamonn Seddon last week, after the state government rejected a call for cash to keep the historic train on track.
Mr Seddon said Puffing Billy needs a $26 million cash injection over the next five years to ensure it remains a tourist icon into the future.
But Tourism Minister Louise Asher deferred the request to next year’s budget.
“It’s put us behind 12 to 18 months,” Mr Seddon said.
However, he said the famous stream train would still survive if the funding did not come through.
“Puffing Billy will always continue to run,” he said.
“Maybe not in its current capacity, but it will always be there.”
He said money was needed to meet increased staffing requirements, start projects – such as a Belgrave café – to raise more revenue for the railway, and manage aging infrastructure.
“Some of it is over 100 years old,” he said.
The railway is now adding even further detail to its business paper to present to the government in coming weeks.
“We’ve chosen to see it (the rejection) as a positive,” Mr Seddon said.
The previous Labor state government pledged $10 million towards the project during last year’s election race.
However Mr Seddon said the Coalition government did not match the commitment.
“And we understand that they had to honour things they did commit to,” he said.
He said he was optimistic the government would provide the money in next year’s budget.
“We think we have a strong business case to present,” he said.
About 270,000 people will take a ride on Puffing Billy this year.
This is expected to increase to 300,000 in 10 years.
Lauren Bradley, a spokeswoman for Ms Asher, said the State Government had made a $500,000 contribution to the Emerald Tourist Railway Board for urgent capital works this year.
“Any proposal from the Emerald Tourist Railway Board will be considered in the context of the budget process,” she said.
