Puffing Billy - PRIME MINISTER KEVIN RUDD PLEDGES $3.125 MILLION INVESTMENT

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http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/prime-minister-announcement/

MEDIA RELEASE

PRIME MINISTER KEVIN RUDD PLEDGES $3.125 MILLION INVESTMENT

The world famous Puffing Billy Railway will receive significant infrastructure investment as part of a re-elected Labor Government tourism initiative, as announced today by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The Prime Minister announced that $3.125 million would be provided to assist the Emerald Tourist Railway Board establish a Discovery Centre at Emerald Park Lake in the Dandenong Ranges.

The historic steam railway which commenced operations on December 18, 1900, operates every day except Christmas Day and is a genuine relic of our more leisurely days.

Puffing Billy CEO John Robinson said, "This investment initiative focuses on ensuring long term sustainability for the Puffing Billy Railway and substantially improving the visitor experience for Puffing Billy patrons. It will also provide an all weather destination experience which will promote the growth of all year round patronage. The investment will support existing jobs and create new jobs both during the construction and operational phases," said Mr Robinson.

The $3.125 million investment will be allocated to the construction of a Discovery Centre which will offer visitors information about the history and construction of the Railway and its place in the broader history of the Dandenong Ranges. It will also include a learning centre catering to the needs of school groups, along with café and kiosk facilities.

Mr Robinson thanked the Prime Minister and Laura Smyth, Federal Member for La Trobe, for their support in further developing Puffing Billy Railway as a significant Tourist attraction.