The State Government today welcomed the Federal Government’s funding of infrastructure upgrades critical to the future of the West Coast Wilderness Railway.
Minister for Infrastructure David O’Byrne and Minister for Tourism Scott Bacon announced the State Government would provide up to $1.5 million a year for four years to underwrite the railway’s operation now the Federal funding was secured.
“This has been a critical issue for the West Coast community, and I am extremely pleased that the State and Federal governments have been able to work together to provide a solution and keep the railway going,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“We said from the outset that the long-term future of the West Coast Wilderness Railway rested on a partnership approach between all tiers of government and the private sector, and I am pleased we have been able to deliver on our commitment”
Mr Bacon said the announcement was an important step for other tourism operators who relied on the West Coast Wilderness Railway
“Without doubt, the railway is a major tourist drawcard for the West Coast.
“I have heard first-hand the concerns of those operators fearful of what the loss of this attraction could mean for their own business, and I hope today’s announcements give them some optimism.”
Mr O’Byrne said while the funding was now in place, the search would continue for an operator for the railway.
“The private sector has a vital role in ensuring the railway has a long-term future.
“As I said at the public meeting at Queenstown, I do not believe anyone thinks it is an acceptable situation that an attraction such as this should be potentially facing exactly the same financial hurdles in a few years’ time - we must make sure there is a viable long-term business model with the private sector on board.”
Mr Bacon said he hoped the announcements also gave some comfort to the railway’s employees.
“Apart from the millions of dollars this railway generates in tourism spending on the West Coast, it also provides jobs to more than 30 people - with some of those employees possessing extremely unique and rare skills.”
“Workers and their community wanted assurances on this issue as soon as possible, and today’s announcements reflect that this was a high-priority for both governments.”
Mr O’Byrne said both governments had been focused on finding a solution.
“On behalf of the State Government, I would like to thank the Federal Government, particularly Labor Member for Braddon Sid Sidebottom, for working with us non-stop on resolving the funding situation,” Mr O’Byrne said.
John Lawrence earlier:
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Wonder which backer of the lab/lib/green coalition will get the ABT and how long it will be before they drain it of our money, run it down again and walk away.
Wouldn’t it be much more viable to hand it over to the non profit Tasmanian railway society, they have the expertise, enthusiasm and ability to run and maintain it without gouging profits to be sent overseas. They would coordinate with small local tourist businesses in a much more beneficial way than any greedy monopoly driven corporation.
Ya can’t have money making ventures being given to people for the good of the people. It just ain’t capitalism.
Some overseas examples, a chance for some innovation…
Island Rail Canada:
Federal Government Invests in Restoring the Corridor
A federal government investment of $7.5 million plus a matching amount from the Province will see trains running along the Island Corridor again.
Below is the text from the federal news release.
News Release
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO INVEST IN RESTORATION OF THE VANCOUVER ISLAND RAILWAY
Federal investment to support Vancouver Island’s economy
Victoria, British Columbia, April 10, 2012 – The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and MP for Vancouver Island North, announced today that the federal government has set aside up to $7.5 million for work on the restoration of the Vancouver Island Railway between Victoria and Courtenay.
“The restoration of the Vancouver Island Railway will create local jobs and economic growth, re-establish important passenger rail service for Island residents, and offer another route for visitors to this beautiful region,” said Minister Duncan.
“The Island Corridor Foundation’s plan to revitalize passenger service and start train service in Nanaimo makes a new future for business and tourism possible,” added James Lunney, MP for Nanaimo-Alberni.
Because of poor track conditions on the Vancouver Island Railway, passenger rail service between Victoria and Courtenay has been suspended due to safety concerns. Freight traffic is currently operating at reduced speeds.
The total costs of the project, to be undertaken by the Island Corridor Foundation, are estimated to be $15 million. Of this amount, $500,000 has already been expended by the Province of British Columbia towards a bridge engineering study. The Government of Canada has set aside up to $7.5 million under the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component towards infrastructure work such as the cost of ballasting and the replacement of track ties and joints. The Island Corridor Foundation will be responsible for any additional costs that arise as part of this project. The work will address short-term operational issues, with the intention of making the corridor safe again for passenger service.
Federal funding for this project is conditional on the completion of a federal project review, Treasury Board approval, and the signing of a contribution agreement. Federal support is conditional on the Province of British Columbia confirming its remaining contribution of $7 million toward the project. As well, the Island Corridor Foundation must confirm that no further federal investment will be required. This includes costs associated with repairs to the existing track and bridges, and the costs associated with building a new passenger station in Esquimalt to replace the municipally owned terminal in downtown Victoria, as well as any other costs that might arise.
The Government of Canada is focused on creating new opportunities for jobs and economic growth, and securing long-term prosperity for Canadians. Investing in public infrastructure is an important part of this strategy. For more information on the Building Canada Plan and federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
and in Asia:
Bamboo Railway - Cambodia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4qttp6nDts&NR=1
and alternatively:
The key question must be: is the ABT railway sustainable or will it always run at a loss? By all means keep it going- but it could mean government funding to support it forever.
Is that ok?
A story in today’s Mercury, drawing on the experience of people who have been successful in this sort of activity for about 40 years, illustrates both the general possibilities and the local difficulties of our Abt tourist railway venture -
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/02/26/373243_tasmania-news.html .
There are several tourist railways on the mainland, the foremost being Melbourne’s Puffing Billy, originally, like our Abt, a narrow gauge* working railway carrying bulk goods through mountainous country, which was closed as such, fell into disrepair through government neglect, and was resurrected through the foresight, energy and commitment of local volunteers (many of whom lived in the Dandenongs and could easily & fondly recall Puffing Billy’s days as an iron work-horse).
So far, so similar.
But one difference makes our Abt venture much more challenging: PB is within a short drive or mainline train trip of 3,500,000 locals (seven times our population), which helps to make it a repeat visit venue for weddings, parties, anything. And which makes it easy to find plenty of volunteers within easy reach.
We can never hope to make up for those numbers, but there could well be things we could adopt. And things to avoid, particularly the absurdly stupid idea that the West Coast Wilderness Railway should pay for maintenance of government-own tracks. (Whether your standard Tasmanian government can even get as far as spelling “maintenance” is, of course, a Very Big Worry.)
The Greens talk a lot of talk about replacing extractive industries with what they call a “tourism industry”, but one suspects that some of the more extreme Dark Greens would be glad to see the Abt disappear completely, which, given they are ideological simpletons, is not surprising.
(Still waiting for public announcements from those Greens who whine about a global excess of homo sapiens on how they are about to have a public self-culling to strengthen their argument, on the ‘facta non verba’ principle.)
* engineering-wise, narrow gauges suit mountainous terrain because they can be built with sharper curves; they are also cheaper to build, at least in the short term. PB’s 2’6” (762mm) gauge is narrower even than our 3’6” (1067mm) mainline gauge (often called the Cape gauge from its wide use in South Africa), the same gauge on which Queensland Railways [QR] has built a very efficient operation.
For more on rail gauges than you ever thought you dream of -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_gauge
Make the Federal group accountable. Sue them for breach of contract. Lara Giddings once said they wouldn’t be a very good government if they broke their agreement with the Federal Group concerning a trial for pre-commitment being enforced and so now it is the opposite. What sort of company is the Federal Group in walking away from an agreement with your government, Premier?
Is this Federal Baconism?
Keep the faith with corporate tourist operators but when corporate social responsibility is unprofitable, bailout corporate by raiding taxpayer funds.
Scott Bacon, how many Tasmanians are suffering fron Federal Hotels gambling operations?
How many family breakdowns?
How many suicides?