Wednesday, 4 August 2021

Williamstown electorate rail history and infrastructure

Ms HORNE (Williamstown—Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Fishing and Boating) (09:43): Newport and Williamstown have an incredible rail history, from the site of Newport’s rail yards that built some of the first trains in Australia to the site of our most modern trains, the high-capacity metro trains. It has been the epicentre of creating rail jobs in Victoria.

We have got the Newport Railway Museum, which many locals and tourists love to visit. This museum displays the largest collection of steam trains from Victoria, most of which were built in the Newport railway yards. It is home to Victoria’s heritage-listed steam train Heavy Harry, as well as numerous other precious pieces of rolling stock. In 2019 I was pleased to announce that the state government had pledged $150 000 to build a roof for the museum to shelter Heavy Harry from the elements, providing that vital protection so he could be enjoyed for years to come. A thankyou for the tireless efforts of people like John Hawthorne and Nick Hewitt and the countless volunteers who have played such a big role in keeping Newport’s train history alive for everyone to enjoy.

I am also pleased to advise that the Newport workshops will remain an important operating rail asset. This will ensure the viability of our tourist and heritage groups like Steamrail Victoria that use the facilities at Newport to support their rail heritage operations well into the future.

While there is so much work going on to protect our history, we are also at a key juncture to modernise our metropolitan rail services in this state, including the removal of the level crossing at North Williamstown railway station.