Callout to help lay mini railway track

THE first miniature railway station for the region is in the works, as organisers from Geelong Miniature Railway (GMR) announce plans for a 10-acre site in Bannockburn off Railway Terrace.

Community involvement is key to the success of this project, and the group is reaching out to the community for support.

GMR founding president Brian Gray said local input will be needed.

“We want to hook in with groups like the local youth to teach them trade-based skills while we get this underway,” he said.

“We’re in talks with St Joseph’s and we want to hook in with the Wathaurong people as well for walking trails and story time telling about the region.

“It’s not my project. It’s the community of Bannockburn’s project. We want people to become members for this and help out from the grassroots.”

Mr Gray estimated the project will be a seven-to-10-year effort depending on funding.

“At the end it’ll be two to three kilometres of railway track, a heritage railway station, workshop, signal box, electronic signalling systems,” he said.

Funds made through the railway once completed will go back into local charities and non-profits.

Mr Gray said a miniature railway station will be a boost for the region.

“It’ll bring in more tourism and railway enthusiasts,” he said. “I founded a station in Portarlington Miniature Railway when I was in Rotary and then started the group after that.

“All the tourism around this area is in the Bellarine, Torquay way, there’s nothing in Golden Plains so this’ll be nice for the area.

“The site is near Lions Park and needs some work done too. It’s very overgrown, full of rabbits, foxes, and snakes.

“We’re prepared to clean it all up with support from business and community to make it an area people can be proud of with this.”

To express interest in helping with the project, contact Mr Gray on 0473 306 852.

GMR membership costs $100.