After many years of applying for Government assistance, the Museum has finally had success in securing Grants from both the State and Federal Governments. These combined Grants, totalling $320 000 (plus GST), form one of the largest grants ever awarded to a railway preservation group in N.S.W., and will enable the Museum to reach a ‘limited’ public opening in 2006. The Grants comprise $250 000 from the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS) and $70 000 from the N.S.W. Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD). The funds are specifically allocated and will be used to fund these activities:
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$31 000 | Security fencing around part of the site | |
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$110 000 | Road transport of the remaining exhibits to Dorrigo | |
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$50 000 | Heavy earthworks | |
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$50 000 | Public toilet block (Council requirement) | |
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$7 000 | Water and sewerage augmentation (Council requirement) | |
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$30 000 | Sealed coach parking area (Council requirement) | |
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$17 000 | Footpaths (Council requirement) | |
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$25 000 | Public liability insurance (estimate) |
These Grants will allow a ‘limited’ public opening of the Museum as approved under our amended Development Approval. However, this does not allow us to admit the public in cars. Initially only coaches will be admitted for a guided tour of part of the display. General admission will occur later when the other conditions of the Development Approval can be funded by this initial ‘coaches only’ public opening.