Bendigo's historic tram network wins $8M heritage upgrade

Bendigo's Central Deborah Mine tram network — one of the last operating traditional tram systems in regional Australia — has been awarded $8 million in state government heritage infrastructure funding to upgrade track, power supply, and rolling stock maintenance facilities while preserving the heritage character that makes the tram service a genuine visitor attraction as well as a local transport novelty.

The infrastructure upgrade will extend the network's reliable operation by at least 25 years, addressing the deferred maintenance that had raised concerns about the long-term viability of an asset that generates significant tourism interest and that connects several of Bendigo's key tourism attractions along Pall Mall.

Bendigo tourism operators have welcomed the investment, noting that the tram network is referenced in the majority of visitor reviews as an element of the Bendigo experience that distinguishes it from other regional cities and that adds to the heritage immersion that visitors seek when they choose Bendigo as a destination.

The network's heritage fleet of traditional tramcars will be supplemented by the restoration of two additional vehicles from the existing rolling stock collection, increasing service frequency during peak visitor periods that have seen the current fleet unable to meet demand on busy school holiday and event weekends.

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