Puffing Billy Railway Board

Photo by Michael Greenhill

From 1 July 2023, the Puffing Billy Railway Act 2022 replaced the Emerald Tourist Railway Act 1977 as the new principal Act, securing and modernising the governance of the railway. The Emerald Tourist Railway Board is continued under the Puffing Billy Railway Act 2022 as the Puffing Billy Railway Board.

Puffing Billy Railway operates exclusively under the authority and sole governance of the Puffing Billy Railway Board, ensuring its role as the sole operator of the railway.

The Puffing Billy Railway Board comprises of the following members:

 


Read about the Ombudsman Investigation Report here

ETRB 2023 ANNUAL REPORT:
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ETRB 2022 ANNUAL REPORT:
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ETRB 2021 ANNUAL REPORT:
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ETRB 2020 ANNUAL REPORT:
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ETRB 2019 ANNUAL REPORT:

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Policies & Disclosures

As a Public Entity, we are dedicated to upholding and maintaining the highest standards of accountability and integrity.

We operate in accordance with various regulatory standards, which are incorporated into the Puffing Billy Railway Board’s policies and procedures.

Our various policies, disclosures and compliance standards include but are not limited to:

Our Vision

To excel in Puffing Billy Railway's presentation of a heritage rail experience, which captures both the natural beauty and rich social history of Victoria's Dandenong Ranges.

Our Mission

To restore and operate the Puffing Billy Railway as Australia's premier heritage steam railway, in a safe and efficient, and economically sustainable manner for the ongoing education, benefit and satisfaction of the community, customers and railway stakeholders, including staff and volunteers.

Our Strategic Plan

Puffing Billy Railway's four-year Strategic Plan 2022-2025 is now available for viewing here. The four-year plan is taken from earlier work our predecessors undertook on the Masterplan, broadened to encompass all other fundamental factors.

The plan encompasses everything from preserving the cultural and heritage rail significance, through to safety and support for our most valued asset, our people, more work nurturing our environment and actions like partnerships to ensure a sustainable future for the business.

To view the PDF of Puffing Billy Railway's four-year Strategic Plan 2022-2025, please click here.

Our Gender Equality Action Plan

The Gender Equality Act 2020 is Victoria’s first piece of legislation specifically designed to address gender
inequalities within the workplace. This Act requires that defined entities develop a Gender Equality Action to help
address this issue.

The Puffing Billy Railway Board (PBRB) operators of Puffing Billy Railway have embraced this opportunity to
publicly articulate our commitment to and outline how we will contribute to the improvement in the status of women
in the workplace and provide a fair and just workplace free of discrimination. Puffing Billy Railway's three-year Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-2025 is available for viewing here.

This is the first time Puffing Billy Railway has critically reviewed workforce data through a gender lens. The GEAP outlines a 4-year action plan including strategies and measures designed to create a firm foundation for gender equality changes with the possibility for more aspirational strategies in the future. While Puffing Billy Railway aspires to the gender equality principles outlined in the Act, this GEAP is reflective of the organisation today; and is the first step of our gender equality journey.

August 2022 - The GEAP has been lodged with the Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector.

Reconciliation Action Plan 2022 - 2024

In March 2023, Puffing Billy Railway's Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.

As the railway's first RAP, this is a significant milestone that reflects the organisation's commitment to reconciliation and is the first step in building and strengthening relationships with the Traditional Custodians of the land Puffing Billy Railway operates.

Fourteen actions have been identified in the Reflect RAP, with a number of these focused on key themes of Relationships, Respect, and Opportunities. During this time, Puffing Billy Railway will scope and develop relationships with the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people and explore our sphere of influence, which will prepare the railway for reconciliation initiatives in future RAPs.

RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 2022 - 2024:

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