The Hodgman Liberal Government strongly supports the West Coast Wilderness Railway as one of the core experiences driving tourist visitation to the West Coast.
The railway is booming since we came to office, with rapidly increasing passenger numbers driving tourism and economic growth on the west coast.
It’s exactly why we have provided $18.5 million to the Railway since the 2014 election, including $4.5 million in the 2017/18 Budget, and the railway now has a strong balance sheet that means there is no need to allocate additional funds at this stage beyond June 2018.
Passenger numbers are projected to increase by 75 per cent from 31,800 in the current year to 55,500 in 2020/21, and revenue growth is projected to more than double between the current financial year and 2020/21.
The aim was always to have the railway operating sustainably. However, we are committed to the railways continued operation for the long term and we will allocate additional funds as and when required.