The Andrews Labor Government’s upgrade to the historic Queenscliff Station building is now complete, preserving it for the future and ongoing use by tourist heritage group, the Bellarine Railway.
Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville joined staff and volunteers from the Bellarine Railway today to celebrate the completion of the works on one of the state’s most historically significant railway stations.
Built in 1881, the heritage listed station is the oldest station building in Victoria principally designed to cater for tourists. The station was built with a large waiting area to cater for high numbers of tourists who would visit during the holiday season.
The Bellarine Railway, who continue to operate heritage train rides, have used the Queenscliff Station building for around forty years and these works mean the station can continue to support heritage rail in the state for years to come.
The $600,000 of upgrades included repairing the station building, including restumping, re-roofing and painting, replacing and repairing timber, and fitting a new kitchen and toilet.
The works were completed under VicTrack’s heritage program, which protects significant buildings and structures to preserve Victoria’s rail history.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne
“Victoria’s heritage railways are a huge attraction for tourists in the state, and these upgrade works have preserved one of our most historically important station buildings.”
“The staff and volunteers of the Bellarine Railway make sure visitors to Queenscliff Station have a great day out, we’re ensuring they can do this for years to come.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville
“The Bellarine Railway and the trains that run from Queenscliff Station not only provide jobs and volunteering opportunities for the people of Bellarine, they also connect us with the history of our area.”
“These vital refurbishment works mean the station can continue to attract tourists to the best part of our state.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020