By JESSE GRAHAM
THE YARRA Valley Railway’s future has been secured today, as the Federal Government confirm a $3 million election pledge and signed the contracts with the council.
Earlier today (Monday 31 March), Casey MP Tony Smith and Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs visited the Healesville Railway Station with a number of community members.
The MPs joined Yarra Ranges Councillor Jim Child and Yarra Valley Railway vice-president Brett Whelan in signing an official contract, securing a $3.56 million election promise for the railway.
The funds will help to complete the YVR’s infrastructure projects over the coming years, with the railway to open between Healesville and Yarra Glen around 2016.
The funding had been delayed dramatically after it was announced by the former Labor government in mid-2013, shortly before the government went into caretaker mode, throwing the funding’s future into question.
Mr Whelan thanked the government for coming through on the election promise and said that volunteers had continued to work hard on the railway’s construction despite the funding delay.
For more information, read tomorrow’s Mail.
