General News
13 July, 2026
Red tape steam: engine’s shift grinds to halt
THE cost of building an annexe to house the last surviving Cliff and Bunting traction steam engine has more than doubled with red tape blamed for project delays.
THE cost of building an annexe to house the last surviving Cliff and Bunting traction steam engine has more than doubled with red tape blamed for project delays.
Inglewood Eucalyptus Distillery Museum committee secretary Murray Baud said the project’s cost had doubled since the original $120,000 fundraising target was met more than five years ago.
Mr Baud said the local museum was working towards an in-principle agreement with Museums Victoria to shift the engine from Scienceworks in Melbourne to Inglewood.
“However, council is wanting a full agreement. Museums Victoria won’t do that until the annexe is built and assessed to house the engine that was used around Inglewood for contract chaff cutting and road haulage in the 1920s before it was used at the eucalyptus distillery,” he said.
“What we were getting a few years ago for $140,000 is now going to take $300,000. The longer this takes, the more it is going to cost but we haven’t given up.
“We have work on the finer points of an agreement ... essentially it’s red tape. It could take another six months, it could take another year.”
Mr Baud said the engine was currently “tucked away in a corner at Scienceworks yet in Inglewood, it would be seen by thousands of people every year”.
“The engine is part of Inglewood’s heritage and would help tell more of the local story to visitors,” he said.
Mr Baud said the project had received multiple council planning permits that had now lapsed.
“And we don’t know how much money is now available from council for the project.”
A spokesperson for Museums Victoria said: “We are continuing to review and assess this loan request in line with Museum Victoria’s standard policies and procedures and will provide the outcome to the requesting party once it has been approved in principle.”
Loddon Shire’s acting director wellbeing David Stretch said: “Council has been supporting the Inglewood museum committee to establish project costing and feasibility, including engagement with Museum’s Victoria, who have provided further information on the engine as well as implications and obligations on council and the committee for its potential loan.”
“Community funds allocated to the project are fenced while project feasibility is investigated,” Mr Stretch said.
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