Re: Abt full steam ahead

["canetram59" <canetram59@hotmail.com>]

How come its getting all that funding from the Federal Government, only to
be given over to a private operator? I thought such funding normally went to
non-profit or Government owned institutions only?
I am not begrudging the project, I think its fantastic and will surely help
unemployed people in the area. Is there a volunteer supporters group
associated with the project or is it hoped that it can exist on a purely
commercial basis (LOL).

canetram59

Jim Leppitt <leppijlk@virtual.net.au> wrote in message
sOfR3.54$Dm1.588736@news0.optus.net.au">news:sOfR3.54$Dm1.588736@news0.optus.net.au...
> Track laying as a demonstration sport at the Olympics?
>
> Jim
>
> Bill McNiven wrote in message ...
> >Is this the most expensive government-funded tourist railway in
Australia?
> >
> >From http://www.news.com.au today ...
> >
> >Abt full steam ahead
> >By SUE BAILEY
> >26oct99
> >A 24-YEAR dream to restore Tasmania's historic Abt Railway was realised
> >yesterday when tourism entrepreneur Roger Smith was named the operator
for
> >the $25 million world-class tourism project.
> >A relieved Mr Smith promised to have part of the 35km railway between
> >Queenstown and Strahan open on June 15 next year in time for the Olympic
> >Games.
> >"After nearly 25 years of bitter disappointments and setbacks, at long
last
> >victory," Mr Smith said.
> >About 100 people will be employed in constructing the railway and 48
> >permanent and part-time staff will be employed when it is up and running.
> >Work will start on the construction in early December and the entire
> project
> >will take 92 weeks to finish.
> >As well as providing a huge boost to economically depressed Queenstown,
the
> >project will have tourism spin-offs for the rest of Tasmania.
> >Mr Smith said: "We will have a powerful marketing campaign, using the
> >Internet, to sell this project across the world and our ticket prices
will
> >be very, very inexpensive and lower than other parts of the world.
> >"I have travelled on many historic tourist railways throughout the world
> and
> >know that the Abt railway will achieve the standard of a world-class
> tourist
> >attraction."
> >Premier Jim Bacon and Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz, representing
> >Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, announced that Mr Smith's Abt
> >Wilderness Railway Pty Ltd and Hazell Brothers were the preferred
operator
> >and builder for the Centenary of Federation Fund project.
> >Mr Smith, who was recovering from a serious bout of food poisoning, was
> >optimistic that in the peak summer tourist season 1500 people would
travel
> >the railway every day.
> >He has spent 35 years in Tasmania developing tourist operations including
> >the Penny Royal World complex and the Aquarius Roman Baths in Launceston.
> ><big snip>
> >Mr Smith hopes to have the first trains operating between Queenstown and
> >Rinadeena by June 15.
> >The Abt Railway will have two separate train systems with one operating
> from
> >Queenstown and the other from Regatta Point. They will combine near the
> >half-way point in the wilderness area at Dubbil Barril on the King River.
> >There will be five stations, including one at Queenstown.
> >Mr Smith has already decided ticket prices, including the GST, will be
> about
> >$39 return for second class and up to $60 for first class. Children and
> >senior citizens will attract discounts.
> >There will be an up-market Pullman class.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>