The Andrews Labor Government today announced that one of Victoria’s retired W-Class trams will gain a new lease of life and be restored as a community coffee shop in Diamond Creek.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green today announced the Diamond Creek Rotary Club, Country Fire Authority and Men's Shed were successful with their joint application to give one of the iconic W-Class trams a new home.
The tram is the first to be allocated following the Expression of Interest process run by VicTrack over recent months for 134 mostly W-Class trams, which have been retired from network operations over the past 30 years.
The tram will be restored by volunteers from the local Men’s Shed and converted into a coffee shop, located near the Diamond Creek community centre and local sports grounds, and will be available to local community groups to run on weekends to raise funds for their organisations.
As part of the expression of interest process, more than 1,500 applications were received from across Australia and overseas, with many great ideas on how to bring a tram back to life.
Applicants had to demonstrate that their tram would benefit the community, be accessible to the public or promote the state. They were also asked to outline how they would repurpose and maintain the tram to ensure it remained in a good condition.
All applicants will be contacted over the next two weeks to advise on the outcome of their application.
For more information, please visit victrack.com.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“I would like to congratulate the Diamond Creek Rotary, CFA and Men's Shed on their successful application and it is exciting to see one of the state’s retired trams go to such a deserving home.”
“Over the coming weeks we will see many more of our retired trams go to their new homes, and I look forward to seeing how the rest of the trams will continue their journey.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green
“The tram will help the Diamond Creek community for years to come and become a focal point for the local area.”
“I am delighted to see one of Victoria’s iconic trams come to Diamond Creek and thank the Men's Shed, the CFA and Rotary for all their hard work in putting together such a quality application.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020