History 1997

29 January 1997.

Portland Observer Headline.   TRAMWAY SUPPORTERS DONATE THEIR SWEAT.     Extract follows...

Supporters of Portland Cable Tram tourism have taken rails, sleepers and other materials from a west Portland railway into storage.   With support of Australia Meat Holdings, the members of the Portland Cable Trams Inc. rolling stock subcommittee spent much of the Australia Day weekend using machinery and sweat to take possession of potential materials for the cable tourism project.   Volunteers also rolled up their sleeves to help out the subcommittee.   Cable Trams leader Des Hein said the large turn-up indicated Portland's keen-ness to get the project underway.
 

12 February 1997.

Portland Observer Headline.   PERMIT MOVE FOR TRAMWAY     Extract follows...

The introduction of track for Portland's cable tram tourism is just weeks away if planning approvals go smootly.   Portland Cable Trams leader Des Hein said his group hoped to lodge its planning permit application with the Glenelg Shire this week.   Track value was estimated at $1.1 million, he said.   With a permit granted, Mr Hein said an April start for group members and volunteers to lay one third of the proposed 4.5 kilometres was 'a possibility'.   Such a start would also increase Portland chances of support from funders as other Victorian cities move to introduce or increase tramway tourism.   We need a planning permit but not a building permit.   Most of the work on the track would be voluntary.

14 March 1997.

Portland Observer Headline.   TRACK LAID TO TEST GRIP CAR     Extract follows...

Portland Cable Trams Inc. has laid a 400 metre section of test track to trial its new grip car.   The section of track was laid on private land in North Portland by railway gangers and Portland Cable Trams members. The track has been only temporarily set up to test the tram and the track itself before the work starts on the tourist route proper.   The western end of the track climbs a slight hill to allow the organisation to find out how the cable tram copes with uphill gradients.

It will also be used to give eligible people training on how to operate the motorised cable tram, under supervision of the superintendent of Bendigo Tramways, Denis Bell.

02 May 1997.

Portland Observer Headline.   PUBLIC NOTICES - Notice of Application for Planning Permit     Extract follows...

The land affected by the application is located along Bentinck Street, Foreshore Reserve, Henty Park and Fawthrop Lagoon.   The application is for a permit to use and develop the land for a cable tram route and depot.   The applicant for the permit is Portland Cable Trams Inc.
 

07 May 1997.

Portland Observer Headline.   TRAMWAY ROUTE - THE DETAILS     Extract follows...

A $1,533,000 million cable tramway is about to become the Glenelg Shire's next planning permit struggle.   Groups with interest or activities close to the route are studying the proposed track's implications.   Portland Cable Trams Inc. faces a challenge to convince groups the route is justified.   PCT leader Des Hein invited anyone with problems about the route to discuss them with him or other committee members.   We've already talked to the go-cart people, and are prepared to take aboard any queries or problems that people have to get this project, important for Portland's future, up and running.   Mr Hein stressed the track would be laid into the ground, unlike railway track.
 

14 May 1997.

Portland Observer Headline.   PUBLIC MISSED TRAM MEETING     Extract follows..

The 19 Portland Cable Trams Inc. committee members were left twiddling their thumbs last Wednesday night at a meeting for the public to voice concerns about the proposed route.   PCT leader Des Hein said the committee was happy to announce that no one from the public accepted the invitation to come along and voice concerns.   We know its not over yet but it was good no-one from the public came to the meeting.
 

23 May 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   PROJECT HAS ROUTE OBSTACLES     Extract follows..

Initial objections confirm Portland Cable Trams has a fight on its hands to win approval for its tramway route.   The Glenelg Shire had received 'about eight' objections, with hours still remaining before a deadline for public comment on the planning permit application.

Town Planner Peter McKinnon said the council would continue to accept any late submission because the intial comment period had attracted an objection, and any more would not stall the process.   He said initial objections were on the grounds including the track's nature, the tram's impact on the activities of user groups and individuals, loss of open space, and safety.
 

30 May 1997

Portland Observer Notice.   FOR SALE - TRAM STOP SHELTER     Extract follows..

Expressions of interest are being called for the sale and removal of a tram stop shelter - due to a lack of storage. Make ideal gazebo, size 4m x 2m x 4m. Details phone 5523 3489 or 5523 2774.

Expressions of interest should be lodged with: Secretary, Portland Vintage Car Club Inc., P.O. Box 667, Portland, by June 6.
 

04 June 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   TRAM STOP SHELTER UP FOR SALE     Extract follows..

Portland's Vintage Car Club has sparked an uproar with its plans to sell off its tram stop shelter. The tram stop shelter was built by young unemployed people under the federally-funded LEAP program, with State Government funding for materials and support by numerous Portland businesses.

The tram stop shelter was created as part of the PVCC's Heritage On Wheels project before the operational cable tram route concept stalled and was taken up by Portland Cable Trams Inc.   An advertisement was placed in last Friday's Observer, calling for expressions of interest in buying and removing the tram stop because of the lack of storage space.   The idea of selling the shelter has raised the ire of many because it was to become part of a larger community asset - Portland cable tram tourist project.

Portland Vintage Car Club President Richard Oakley was not unsympathetic to the concerns raised. "I can understand it," he said. "If people can help with the storage of the shelter until such time as tram tourism is up and running in Portland, we'd love to hear from them."
 

11 June 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   SHELTER SALE MAY COST THOU$AND$     Extract follows..

The Portland Vintage Car Club's proposal to sell the tram-stop shelter could see them facing a bill running into thousands of dollars.   A contractor involved with the construction, Greg Phillips of Phillips Steel Protection, said Portland contractors had donated around $14,000 of material and time to the community project.   "Everone I have spoken to who was involved in the project has expressed dismay over the proposed sale and that the cable tram project is being held up by a group of individuals for their advantage," he said.

"The worst thing about it is that the PVCC isn't worried about the trams. They are hoping someone  (mainly the Government) will give them money to store the tram cars - using them as a bartering tool."   We are concerned that we have donated thousands of dollars to the project that would be an asset to the City of Portland, but one group is holding the project up ..."   Mr Phillips agreed with the statement that the PVCC was basically holding the tram-stop to ransom, "and nobody really knew about it ..."
 

27 June 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   TRAM PROMOTERS WIN MORE TIME     Extract follows..

Tramway tourism promoters have stalled a decision which may have cut Portland's foreshore and Ploughed Field from their preferred route.   Portland Cable Trams has gained extra time to press its cause after the Glenelg Shire agreed to put-off consideration of its planning permit application.   The group contended councillors were about to base decision on a flawed town-planning report.
 

18 July 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   MODIFICATIONS TO TRAM TRACK     Extract follows..

Portland Cable Trams Inc aims to smooth the path through the minefield of objections and planning obstacles by making minor alterations to its scenic tram route proposal.   The organisation now proposes to run the track south from the Powerhouse Museum, east along Hood St, across Bentinck St, into Henty Park, skirting around the northern perimeter of the Colts Cricket Club oval, into Glenelg St, crossing Cliff St to head down into Lee Breakwater Rd.
 

13 August 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   TRAMS MOVE: MORE DELAY     Extract follows..

Portland's cable tram project still awaits a planning-permit decision partly because native-title claimants are considering their view of it.   Miribiak Nations Aboriginal Corporation acting for the Gunditjmara people, has claimed south-west Victorian public land and waterways, including the foreshore.
 

27 August 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   EXTRA TRAM TRACK OFFER     Extract follows..

Portland Cable Trams Inc has been offered more track for its tourist tram route by the Public Transport Corporation.   PCT representatives travelled to Ararat yesterday to inspect 75 tonnes of steel rail which has been made available to the group by the PTC.

PCT chairman Des Hein said the rail would create about 1.25 kilometres of the proposed route.   If the PCT takes the steel, it will add to the stockpile of rail the organisation has already accumulated for the project.
 

03 September 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   TRAM ROUTE GREEN LIGHT     Extract follows..

The Glenelg Shire Council has finally given the green light to Portland's long awaited tourist cable tram route.   The council last week voted to issue a Town Planning Permit for the project.   A host of conditions accompanied the councils approval - including a warning that much of the area for the proposed route is subject to a Nartive Title Claim on Crown Land.
 

03 September 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   APPEAL HERALDED FOR CABLE TRAMS ROUTE     Extract follows..

A community group is appealing to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal against the planning permit intended for Portland cable tram tourism.   The Portland Historic Buildings Restoration Committee says it is not opposed to such tourism.

However, it is concerned the route should not compromise heritage integrity or affect the area's amenity.   "We have doubts about a number of the proposal's aspects," group secretary Lex Chalmers said.
 

27 September 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   CABLE TRAMS ARE STALLED AGAIN     Extract follows..

The brakes have once again been applied to Portland's long awaited tourist cable tram project.   The latest obstacle in the project's path is a formal objection to a recent decision by the Glenelg Shire Council to grant Portland Cable Trams Inc a permit to finally get the ball rolling.

The objection was lodged with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal by Portland's Historic Buildings Restoration Committee on six grounds.   The grounds of objection include:  1. There is insufficient detail provided in the permit. 2. Parts of the proposal are within the area of special significance in the Portland Planning Scheme and may compromise the area of special significance;  3. The proposals could be subject to the Victorian Coastal Council's recommendations which are yet to be finalised. 4. The proposal conflicts with some of the provisions of the foreshore master plan;  5. The proposal is subject to potential traffic and pedestrian conflicts, and;  6. The proposal could compromise public open space.  At the time of going to press, there was no time set down for the AAT hearing.
 

22 October 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   EARLY HEARING ON TRAM ROUTE     Extract follows..

Campaigners for Portland cable-tram tourism have won an early hearing of an appeal to block a planning permit for their route.   The Administrative Appeals Tribunal's hearing of the Portland Historic Buildings Restoration Committee appeal will be at Warrnambool on November 7.
 

05 November 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   TRAMS GROUP: WE CAN STAND ALONE     Extract follows..

Portland Cable Trams has enough resources to go solo in tram tourism if necessary, according to group leader Des Hein.   "We'd much prefer to have the strong support of other groups, including the Portland Vintage Car Club," he said.

However if that's not to be, our focus is on ensuring we have all that is necessary - including existing and promised tram vehicles - to enable us to go ahead.   We'd hope the vintage car club is still positive about allowing its saloon car and grip car to be part of the public tourism project."

"The more resources the better.   But I can assure everyone - as we will assure the Administrative Appeals Tribunal - that PCT has sufficient resources already to establish a successful project.

The Observer asked PVCC leader Richard Oakley to comment on unofficial reports the club's last meeting had rescinded an offer made last year to make a saloon car and grip car available for tourism.   "No comment," he said.

"It's not going to help if the news media is endevouring to relay every decision made, whether it be by this particular group or any other group, that has on-going effects."
 

17 November 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   UMPIRE OKAYS TRAM'S ROUTE     Extract follows..

Tourist trams can follow a track through and near Portland's foreshore and parks with Administrative Appeals Tribunal blessing.   The tribunal has disallowed the Portland - based Historic Buildings Restoration Committee's appeal against the intended 4.5 kilometre route.

Portland Cable Trams leader Des Hein greeted panel member Ian Marsden's earlier than expected decision.  "It's a big plus for volunteer groups for getting on with the job," he said.  "We'll now go to the council to support our application for funding to the Victorian Community Support fund."
 

01 December 1997

Portland Observer Headline.   BOOST FOR TRAMS     Extract follows..

 Following its clearance by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the granting of a works permit by the Glenelg Shire Council, Portland Cable Trams' fortunes have received yet another boost.   The group's latest shot in the arm is a $22,000 donation from western district graziers, business entrepreneurs and philanthropists, Geoff and Helen Hanbury.   PCT president Des Hein was ecstatic about the Hanbury's donation, daying that the funding would come extremely close to clearing PCT of its financial obligations.
 

26 December 1997

Portland Observer Headline.    TRAM'S MAIDEN VOYAGE     Extract follows..

It works!   Portland's new grip car had its first run on rails last weekend.   Members, friends and supporters of Portland Cable Trams Inc. gathered at the group's workshop in Heath Rd to see the brand-new grip car run under its own power.

With recent positive developments on the tram project front and proof that the grip car meets - indeed, exceeds - operational expectations, 1998 is expected to be a big year for Portland Cable Trams Inc.