Yarra Glen to Healesville rail link set to be big for the Yarra Valley

THE Yarra Glen to Healesville rail link is set to be the biggest tourism attraction established in the Yarra Valley for years.

Adam Taylor, Brett Whelan, and Ollie Crunden working at the site of the tourist railway.

THE Yarra Glen to Healesville rail link is set to be the biggest tourism attraction established in the Yarra Valley for years.

It is expected to attract an extra 200,000 visitors each year and generate $35 million for the local economy.

And the project has been described as the “most significant tourism investment” in memory by the Healesville Chamber of Commerce.

As reported recently, an historic steam train will soon run from Yarra Glen to Healesville after a $3.5 million grant was announced by the Federal Government on June 7.

The project is also set to create 25 jobs during ­construction.

According to the project fact sheet, the rail link will allow tourism operators to create complementary tourism packages, creating an extra 170 jobs in the food, accommodation, retail, health and well-being, and transport sectors.

This is expected to grow the size of the regional economy by $35 million annually.

The main line track and its connecting bridges will be restored and, together with a network of linking pathways and bike and walking trails, will unlock the full potential for tourism.

Chamber vice-president Graham Taylor said independent research indicated at least 200,000 visitors would travel the steam heritage railway on an annual basis.

“This is a major boost for the communities of Healesville and Yarra Glen and for tourism in the region,” Mr Taylor said.

“It is a tribute to the Yarra Valley Railway team of volunteers for the countless hours of work they have put into this great project.”

Mayor Jim Child said the council had committed $440,000 to the project and they looked forward to working with Yarra Valley Railway.