Talks put rail back on track

PLANNING is in progress to allow a community group to lease a historic site ahead of a Mona project taking shape there.

The Ida Bay Railway Preservation Society has held talks with the state government to gain a one-year licence to begin railway maintenance works at Lune River.

The group has presented a case to the government over the benefits of a reinstated tourist rail line there, but IBRPS has accepted that the government is prioritising a Mona Green Lens art installation project there in the coming years.

The installation from the Huon Valley’s Project X is part of a bid to revitalise tourism in the area following the January 2019 bushfires.

The railway has not operated since late 2018 and the Parks and Wildlife Service later terminated the lease because of safety issues.

“The society considers that the operating railway is essential to that effort as it attracts visitors, gains revenue needed for operation and site restoration, as well as engaging the community and volunteer effort required to sustain the project,” Society spokesman Dave Collins said.

“The government indicated to us that both proposals could be made to work in that area of the Reserve.”

“The society could be offered a one year licence to use the buildings on site to start the restoration effort — until the desires of the government’s preferred Green Lens project are made clear.”

A spokesman said the government supported the society’s involvement in the management and presentation of the site’s historic rail heritage.