Infrastructure projects supercharge regional recovery

Communities across regional and rural Victoria will benefit from new infrastructure projects as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s investment in developments that help towns continue to thrive.

Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the historic Bullarto Train Station Tourist Precinct in central Victoria to announce a new suite of projects funded through the Regional Infrastructure Fund –Stimulus Round.

Hepburn Shire has received a $500,000 grant to help redevelop the station. The project includes construction of a replica of the original 1930s station building, bringing to life the history of rail and providing an additional tourist destination for the region.

Historic rail motors were used at Bullarto Station between the late 1920s and early 1990s. The redevelopment plan envisions rail motors bringing visitors to town from Daylesford through the Wombat State Forest.

The restored platform and gardens at the station, along with new amenities, will welcome passengers as they disembark from the train. Detailed planning is underway between the Hepburn Shire and the Daylesford Country Spa Rail.

Bullarto’s redevelopment is just one of a range of projects to be announced in coming weeks, as part of the Regional Infrastructure Fund – Stimulus Round.

The Regional Infrastructure Fund is part of the Labor Government’s flagship $156 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, helping businesses create more jobs in regional Victoria, supporting community projects and backing councils to build the infrastructure that locals and visitors need.

The stimulus round aims to revitalise local economies as they recover from the global pandemic, and works to create more jobs while improving tourism and community infrastructure.

The fund is key to the Labor Government’s $8 billion investment across regional and rural Victoria unveiled in the Victorian Budget 2020/21 to support communities to come back stronger than ever.

The second round of the fund’s program is due to open for applications from 16 June. Under this competitive round, local regional and rural councils will be invited to apply for grants.

Information and guidelines for the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund can be found at https://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/about-rdv/regional-jobs-and-infrastructure-fund

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas
"This round of the Regional Infrastructure Fund will support the recovery of communities across our state and ensure Victoria continues to have our nation’s most vibrant regional economies."

"The Bullarto Station Tourist Precinct is a drawcard that will contribute to the region’s visitor economy, creating more jobs for the region."

"We are delighted to support this important project as part of our commitment to make regional Victoria an even better place to live, work, visit and invest."