More puff in heritage plan

By Tania Martin
A REGIONAL tourism chief has welcomed the call to heritage list the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Puffing Billy, saying that it will boost the hills’ profile.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood last week announced his intention to apply for the Sherbrooke and Ferntree Gully section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Puffing Billy to be heritage listed.
Dandenong Ranges Tourism Association president Lou Hesterman said the tourism industry would be an automatic winner as a result of heritage listings because more people would be drawn into the area.
Mr Hesterman said more importantly the listing would recognise and preserve the Dandenong Ranges environment.
“A boost in tourism would just be an added bonus,” he said.
Mr Wood said the heritage listing application was an excellent opportunity for the Dandenong Ranges National Park, Puffing Billy and the surrounding communities to gain the recognition the area deserves.
“National Heritage listing provides another level of protection for the area’s national significance, either historically, culturally or naturally,” he said.
Mr Wood said if the application is successful the recognition would ensure that the heritage value of the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas would continue to be protected for future generations.’
Puffing Billy chief executive officer Andrew Stevens has welcomed Mr Wood’s support for heritage listing.
Mr Stevens said Puffing Billy had twice before been unsuccessfully nominated for heritage listing.
“We (Puffing Billy) hope that the initiative of our Federal member is successful,” he said.
Mr Stevens said he hopes this nomination, which links Puffing Billy with its bordering environment, will have a better chance of success.
He said the joint application for heritage listing was a continuation of the railway’s connection with the surrounding Dandenong Ranges.
“Since opening in December 1900 the Puffing Billy Railway has been intimately associated with the built and natural environment of the Dandenongs.
“In particular during the 1920s our railway was extremely busy carrying most of the freight and passengers moving in the southern Dandenongs,” Mr Stevens said.
Mr Wood said local businesses and residents in surrounding suburbs would not be affected by the National Heritage Listing as the regions, which will be protected, are specified as remaining within the Parks Victoria boundaries and Puffing Billy.
Mr Wood is asking anyone who would like to make comments on the proposed heritage listing to contact him before Thursday 25 May when the application will be lodged.
Those wanting to make a comment can call Mr Wood’s office on 9762 4066.