Ballarat Tramway upgrades ready to roll
12/09/2022Visitors will enjoy an even better experience when embarking on the Ballarat Tramway Museum’s scenic tours, with new tram track upgrades now complete thanks to support from the Victorian Government.
The completion of the track works have been backed by a $1.2 million investment from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Passengers can now enjoy a smoother and more comfortable tram ride with 600 metres of new tram tracks installed from the museum’s junction to Zoo Drive, near Ballarat’s scenic Lake Wendouree. The project generated 30 constructions jobs and forms one of three stages to broader upgrades to replace tracks dating back to 1905.
Ballarat’s trams are a key tourist attraction preserved by Ballarat Tramway Museum, drawing in more than 30,000 visitors each year. The Museum offers guided tram tours, memorabilia and a tramcar collection that document the history of Ballarat’s Tramways which were operated between 1887 and 1971.
The upgrades are part of a three-stage project to revitalise the Ballarat Tramway Museum’s tour offerings and ensure they continue to operate for years to come, including track upgrades along Wendouree Parade.
Previous works were completed between Depot Junction and Carlton Street as part of the project, supported by the City of Ballarat and a $200,000 investment from the Government’s Pick my Project initiative.
The Government has also provided a $200,000 grant through the Regional Tourism Investment Fund to deliver more fun and accessible experiences at the Ballarat Tramway Museum.
That project will deliver tram ramps and wheelchair access, along with display booths and virtual reality technology to immerse visitors with the history of trams in Ballarat.
The Regional Tourism Investment Fund is helping entice more visitors to Victoria’s regions, driving private investment and accelerating the recovery of the tourism sector.
The Regional Infrastructure Fund is part of the Government’s flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which helps businesses create more jobs in regional Victoria, supports community projects and helps councils to build the infrastructure locals need.
The Fund is key to the Government’s more than $36 billion investment across regional and rural Victoria since 2015. For more information, visit Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.