[vic] gov grant Echuca

[Dimitri Souprounovich <dima@alphalink.com.au>]

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FROM THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT

DATE: Monday, May 29, 2000

MINISTER ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR THE PORT OF ECHUCA RAIL LINK

The Minister for Transport, Mr Peter Batchelor, today announced a
$150,000 grant to help reconnect the historic rail link between
Echuca Railway Station and the Port of Echuca Wharf.

Mr Batchelor said the Bracks Government was pleased to be able to meet a
request from the Port of Echuca Authority to contribute half
of the $300,000 needed to rebuild the rail line to link the railway
station with the historic Murray River port.

The rail line between Echuca and the port was first built in 1864 and
was removed in the early 1970s.

The Bracks Government acknowledged the need to foster and support
initiatives that would generate long term benefits for regional
Victoria, said Mr Batchelor.

"The funding will assist in bringing together a unique tourism venture
for Echuca that has the potential to stimulate tourism growth and,
therefore, more jobs in the region."

"The Port of Echuca has put a lot of thought and work into the proposal
to reopen the rail line through the Port of Echuca Heritage
Precinct Masterplan and the consultants report, Trains to Paddlesteamers
- Meeting the Whistles."

"I congratulate the authority for its initiative and wish it well in its
endeavours to raise the additional funds to cover the cost of the
project," said Mr Batchelor.