Big new plans for Ballarat Tramway Museum

The proposals are now on display on the Heritage Victoria website as part of the planning process.

Under the plans an entirely new tramway museum building would be constructed, as well as a car park and cafe.

The new building would be constructed alongside the existing depot.

It would feature displays of the museum's collection of historic artefacts and rare trams, as well as an exhibition space that could be used by other community groups.

A small cafe would overlook the south gardens.

The museum would have three internal tracks and seven trams on display within. Its design would reference historical tram depots, although it is not based on any one particular building.

The president of the museum Paul Mong told The Courier: "Through many years of consultation the Ballarat Tramway Museum is very excited about the prospect of achieving the next step in making an expansion of our facility."

Mr Mong said the plans are designed to make the experience more welcoming for children and more visitor friendly overall.

There would be 13 trams stored in the current depot area.

Five trains currently in storage would be brought into Ballarat if the plans are approved.

One of the trams that could be displayed in the new extension would be the so-called Tram 22, the only tram ever built that operated solely in Ballarat.

A planned access point and 14-place car park on Gillies Street would also help increase visitor numbers, the permit application says. Museum management say the number of visits has increased significantly in recent years.

A permit for more display space was previously submitted to Heritage Victoria in 2013, but was not granted before the time limit ran out.

Last year, the museum decided to submit extension plans for its growing collection as well as to "meet visitor expectations of a modern museum in a central tourist area".

A permit application for the plans has now been publicly advertised with Heritage Victoria and is open for responses. Submissions are open until January 17 next year.

The museum was formed by enthusiasts after trams in the city were taken out of public service in 1971.

A non-profit organisation, it has volunteers to run services on historic trams up and down the western section of Wendouree Parade.

Earlier this year, works were completed to replace a 300-metre section of ageing track from the depot entrance up to Carlton Street. Some of the sections of railway dated back as far as 1905.

Along with the tram rides, the attraction - the only operating tourism tramway in Victoria - has more than 30,000 visitors each year.

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