By KATH GANNAWAY
A $3.5 MILLION Federal Government grant announced this morning will seal the future of the Yarra Valley Railway as a key tourist attraction in the Yarra Ranges.
Minister for Regional Services Catherine King announced the Regional Development Australia funding at the Memorial Hall in Yarra Glen.
YVR Vice President Brett Whelan was thrilled, saying the funding bridged the gap needed to reach the $9m required for the rail project which will link Yarra Glen and Healesville as an operating tourist railway.
Mr Whelan thanked Yarra Ranges Council, which has contributed $250,000 to the project, and said there was also $200,000 of State Government funding in the mix.
The contribution of volunteers, community groups and business was also a critical element in getting the project over the line, he said.
Ms King said the project would draw people to the area and increase the numbers of rail passengers from 22,000 to 200,000 annually, protect local history and preserve the Yarra Glen Railway Station for future generations.
Mr Whelan said YVR aimed to start a Healesville/Yarra Glen service by the end of 2016.
See more on what this means for the future of the tourist railway in the Mail on Tuesday.
