By Luke Voogt
A miniature train proposal for Corio is gathering steam with almost 600 people signing a petition for the plans, according to campaigners.
They took their proposal, compete with a miniature locomotive, to Corio Village shopping centre this week gathering 490 signatures as of yesterday morning.
Another 101 people have signed their online petition for a miniature railway at Sutcliffe Reserve in Corio.
“It’s certainly a starting point and once more people know about it, it will start moving along,” Corio Norlane Lions Club secretary Richard Walter said.
Plenty of curious kids came up to the club’s display at the shopping centre to check out the mini train and the plans, Mr Walter said.
“They say, ‘when’s this going to be?’ or ‘where’s this going to be?’”
The club has begun discussions with councillors Eddy Kontelj, Anthony Aitken, Peter Murrihy and Kylie Grzybek on the proposal, and plans to hold a strategy meeting tomorrow, according to Mr Walter.
“We want to keep the momentum going,” he said.
According to the club, council knocked back the proposal twice citing a lack of available land.
But the Lions and Geelong Miniature Railway believe the proposal could help young people learn skills and build connections, along with reducing youth crime and improving mental health.
“Being so close to the Geelong Ring Road, we see it as a fantastic tourist opportunity that will [attract] many families and railway enthusiasts from all over our region and Victoria,” Mr Walter said.
“Over time we envision our proposed railway will become a significant tourism asset for Geelong and the surrounding communities.”
