Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards MP recently visited the Bendigo Tramways workshop to take a look at two iconic W Class trams, being transformed into unique picnic shelters.

“Bendigo’s heritage trams are a special part of our city, and the team at Bendigo Tramways have the specialist knowledge to ensure these beautiful trams are given a new lease of life in Wattle Park.” Said Ms Edwards.

The new tram picnic shelters will form part of Parks Victoria’s upgrades for the popular Wattle Park in Burwood, in eastern Melbourne.

The W-Class trams were supplied by VicTrack for the project as part of the Retired Tram Strategy and are currently at the Bendigo Tramways Workshop undergoing refurbishment. Once complete, they will be installed near the playground in Wattle Park.

The Bendigo Tramways is a world class tram restoration and tourism facility which recently completed a $10.7 million upgrade funded by the Allan Labor Government. The project is supporting regional jobs in Bendigo, using the specialist knowledge of the Bendigo Tramways team.

Wattle Park has long showcased the history of Melbourne’s beloved trams. The park was initially established in 1917 by the former Hawthorn Tramway Trust.

The refurbished picnic shelters will form just one part of the recent Wattle Park upgrades, which also include a new all abilities playspace, featuring swings, spinners, a sensory garden and double-storey tram-shaped fort, a 3.25km walking track, a ceremonial space, and new barbecues, tables and shelters in the picnic area.

The Allan Labor Government has invested $4.3 million through the Suburban Parks Program and $850,000 through the Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program to enable the Wattle Park Master Plan upgrades to proceed.

The new picnic shelters are expected to be installed at Wattle Park in mid-2025, and the ceremonial space is expected to be completed this year.

To learn more about Wattle Park Master Plan or recent upgrades to the park, visit parks.vic.gov.au/projects