page_title: Tourist and Heritage Railways Act
section_title: Second reading speech
hierarchical_section_title: Tourist and Heritage Railways Act / Parliamentary approval / Introduction / Second reading speech
caption_attribution_description: English: Victorian Railways R class locomotive R 711, on display at the Steamrail Victoria Open Day weekend alongside preserved Victorian Railways L class electric locomotive and Swing Door suburban train, 12 March 2007
context_page_description: The Tourist and Heritage Railways Act 2010 is a law enacted by the Parliament of the State of Victoria, Australia and is the prime statute regulating the activities of tourist and heritage rail operators in the State. The Act covers the bulk of Victoria's operational tourist and heritage railways including many heavy and light rail operations and tramways, predominantly in regional areas of Victoria.
  The Tourist and Heritage Railways Act and the supporting regulations were developed by the Transport Legislation Review conducted by the Department of Transport. The Act was the first dedicated statute in Victoria for the tourist and heritage railways sector and is also the only dedicated principal statute for the THR sector in Australia. The Act was passed in late 2010 and came into force on 1 October 2011. It replaced provisions regulating the THR sector in the Transport Act 1983.
  The Tourist and Heritage Railways Act is part of the transport policy and legislation framework in Victoria headed by the Transport Integration Act.
context_section_description: The Minister set the context for the Bill in his second reading speech in support of the Bill as follows:
  "The Bill is aligned to the Transport Integration Act's new vision and shared objectives for transport in Victoria. This vision is one of an integrated and sustainable transport system. A sustainable transport system works to secure ongoing economic, social and environmental benefits for the state. It must promote social outcomes and economic prosperity. The transport system should also support the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
  The tourist and heritage railway sector makes vital and significant contributions in these areas. Victoria's tourist and heritage railways positively contribute to community spirit and conserve Victoria's heritage for future generations.  The groups provide a foundation for local and regional community involvement and make major contributions, both directly and indirectly, to community wellbeing. The railways also attract local, regional and international tourism, benefiting local business and employment.
  The Bill renews and modernises legislation applying to the tourist and heritage rail sector to ensure the sector is equipped to make these social and economic contributions both now and in the future. The groups that comprise the sector are diverse, but all groups within the scope of this Bill share common characteristics. They are active rail operators with strong heritage objectives, and they attract patronage from tourists and visitors. Indeed, tourist and heritage railways attract more than half a million visitors each year, bringing clear economic value to the State. Their operations run under not-for-profit organisational structures and revenue from visitors is of primary importance. Typically, the groups draw heavily on volunteers. They also rely on donations, Government grants and external funding for capital projects as well as for day-to-day activities.
  Tourist and heritage rail operators keenly restore, preserve and operate heritage and other unique types of trains and trams. Approximately 3500 people are actively engaged in operational rail and tram preservation activities in Victoria—as employees, as members and as volunteers. The sector's story, collectively, is one of success. Victorians can be justly proud of their tourist and heritage railways and the social, economic and cultural benefits they bring to the State.
  "This Bill supports these important not-for-profit groups to promote their ongoing viability. Entities that operate historical or heritage-related rail and tram services primarily as a tourist activity are given new settings under the Bill. This includes better arrangements relating to land and asset use, and access to a voluntary registration scheme that will promote improved performance and business practices.".
caption: Steamrail Victoria is a not-for-profit volunteer group established in 1965 to the restore and operate historic locomotives and rolling stock used on the railways in Victoria, Australia.[30] The main depot of the group is at the Newport Workshops ('West Block') in suburban Melbourne. In addition to operating railfan special trains and charters for private groups, the group also operates special steam trains in the Melbourne suburban area. The picture shows Victorian Railways R class locomotive R 711 on display at the Steamrail Victoria Open Day weekend alongside preserved Victorian Railways L class electric locomotive and a swing door suburban train on 12 March 2007.
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