Billy wants cash

By Tania Martin
PUFFING Billy is calling for a $15 million State Government cash injection over the next five years to secure the historic railway’s future.
CEO Eamon Seddon last week met with the Shadow Minister for Tourism, Louise Asher, Eastern Metropolitan MP Edward O’Donohue and the Liberal candidate for Gembrook Brad Battin to discuss funding.
Ms Asher said although everyone loved Puffing Billy, there were significant long-term issues for its survival if action was not taken.
She said the railway had come up with a $40 million five-year plan which included $15 million from the State Government.
“We are having discussions about the funding request and both the Government and the Opposition will evaluate the grant application,” she said.
Mr Seddon said the five-year plan and subsequent cash injection was an opportunity to bring the railway forward into the future.
He hopes the project would be addressed in the next State Budget or as part of the upcoming election campaign.
“We are really not sure which way the election will go…it’s really important both aspects of government have a full understanding of the needs of the railway and the ongoing commitment,” Mr Seddon said.
Mr Seddon said the railway contributed more than $23 million a year to the economy and it was vital to keep it managed and kept up for the future.
He said although Puffing Billy was run as a non-profit organisation, it cost almost $5 million a year to run.
Mr Seddon said all profits were funnelled straight back into preserving the railways and its rolling stock.
Puffing Billy currently has more than 260,000 visitors a year, with 700 volunteers on the books and 100 full-time employees.
Ms Asher anticipates the funding would boost jobs at the railway from 100 to more than 240.
Mr Seddon said like any other tourism attraction in the world, Puffing Billy needed to constantly reinvent itself.
“Everyone has visited Puffing Billy as a kid and my challenge is to get them back a little bit more often,” he said.
The cash would be used to create an experience around the railway corridor from Gembrook to Belgrave, linking together with other attractions such as parks and gardens.
Mr Seddon said it was not just about the suitability of Puffing Billy but local jobs and local tourism.
He said the cash would go towards building a new discovery centre at Emerald Lake Park.
“It will provide an interpretation centre for both the railway and for the Dandenongs which will create an important part of the attraction for Puffing Billy and the area for visitors,” Mr Seddon said.
The Mail contacted the State Government but did not receive a response before going to print.