By KATH GANNAWAY
PUFFING Billy’s growing popularity, with visits rising from 284,000 to 303,000 in the last two years is a nice situation to be in.
But this growth comes with some challenges, according to chairman of the Emerald Tourist Railway Board Ray Leivers.
If the Coalition Government gets in on 29 November, a couple of those challenges will be taken care of with funds committed as part of the election build-up for new food and beverage facilities and increased shelter over the platform.
“We’re in an expanding market, already up 18 per cent on the 303,000 visitors so far this year, and while we’re certainly not complaining, it’s getting to the point where we need to upgrade facilities on the station to cater better for those visitors,” Mr Leivers said last week as Premier Denis Napthine announced the Coalition would put $2.15 million into those improvements if elected.
Mr Napthine walked the platform on Wednesday 12 November with Tourism Minister Louise Asher, candidate for Monbulk Mark Verschuur and Gembrook MP Brad Battin.
Chatting to volunteers and passengers, the Premier was given the job of ringing the bell to send the double-engine steam train on its way.
The fact that is was loaded with mid-week passengers was a perfect example of what Mr Leivers said was ‘burgeoning visitation’.
Two engines, pulling 16 carriages go as far as Menzies Creek with one continuing on to Emerald and the returning with six carriages to Belgrave.
The shorter round trip is popular with overseas and cruise-ship visitors who are on a tight time-table.
Mr Leivers welcomed the commitment of government funds which Mr Napthine said built on $4.9million government funding provided for infrastructure upgrades and maintenance since 2011.
The current plans have been in the pipeline for some time, but Mr Leivers said it was difficult to generate money for major capital works projects and that the commitment of funds was very welcome.
It’s not money in the bank yet, however and Mr Leivers said they hoped Labor will come through with a matching pledge.
A further election promise of $200,000 was made later in the morning by Ms Asher to support a specialised horticulturalist at the National Rhododendrons in Olinda.
