May 12, 2015
The South Burnett Regional Council has begun a five-day public consultation process to gather the community’s ideas about the proposed Kingaroy-Murgon Rail Trail.
On Monday, Council officers and rail trail consultant Mike Halliburton, from Brisbane-based Mike Halliburton Associates, mounted a display stand near the Gloria Jean’s Coffee Shop entrance to Kingaroy Shoppingworld.
They will do the same on Tuesday before holding similar “open house” meetings at Memerambi, Wooroolin and Tingoora on Wednesday; Wondai on Thursday; and Murgon on Friday.
The meetings are designed to allow residents to see artists’ conceptions of how the finished rail trail might look, ask questions about the project, and offer their own ideas about features they would like to see incorporated into the final design.
Mr Halliburton, whose company has more than 20 years experience building rail trails in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, also has examples of other successful rail trail projects available for the public to view at the display.
The $2 million Rail Trail project is being funded by the State Government.
Former Deputy Premier and Member for Callide Jeff Seeney announced a grant for the rail trail from the Royalties For Regions fund last July.
At present, the land that will be used for the Rail Trail is empty after the railway lines were removed in 2014. Queensland Rail is responsible for its maintenance.
After this week’s public consultation round has been completed, a fully costed plan to build the rail trail will be drawn up, along with an estimate of annual maintenance costs.
Work will then begin on the project if the plan is approved by the State Government.
Mr Halliburton said feedback from the public had been generally positive and favourable.
“A few people were concerned that Council was paying for this project, but when they found out this wasn’t the case they were happy about that,” he said.
“We also had several people say they believed something needed to be done about the old railway line, and thought the Rail Trail would be a good use for it.”
SBRC Mayor Wayne Kratzmann has previously stated that because the Tick Line crosses the Rail Trail between Wooroolin and Wondai, Council would not allow horses to use the section between Wooroolin and Barambah Creek.
This would help protect landholders in areas bordering the Tick Line from suffering potentially costly tick infestations caused by animals moving along the Trail between “ticky” and “non-ticky” areas.
But horses would be able to use section north of Barambah Creek to Kilkivan, which is entirely in the tick zone, and perhaps the tick-free section between Kingaroy and Wooroolin as well.
“However this will depend on the outcome of discussions we’ve already held with landholders in the more sensitive areas,” the Mayor said.
The Mayor has also previously said he believes annual maintenance of the Rail Trail, once built, would be around $30,000 to $60,000.
He believes this amount could be funded with no impact on Council’s budget.
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Public consultation meetings will be held at:
- Kingaroy – Tuesday May 12: Kingaroy Shoppingworld, 8:30am-5:00pm
- Memerambi – Wednesday May 13: On footpath outside One Stop Shop, 8:00am-10:00am
- Wooroolin – Wednesday May 13: In the park opposite the Post Office, 11:30am-1:00pm
- Tingoora – Wednesday May 13: Tingoora Park opposite Tingoora Hotel, 2:00pm-4:00pm
- Wondai – Thursday May 14: On footpath outside Wondai IGA in Mackenzie Street, 9:00am-5:00pm
- Murgon – Friday May 15: On footpath outside bakery in Lamb Street, 9:00am-5:00pm
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- Download Council’s Public Feedback form (123kb PDF)
Related articles:
- Rail Trail Meetings Begin Next Week
- Horses Still Possible On Rail Trail
- Trail Consultations Start In January
- Rail Trail Project Ticks Off Local Farmers
- Triathlon Hope For Rail Trail
- Mayor Expects Small Rail Trail Bill
- MP Adds To Rail Trail Push
- $2m Makes Rail Trail A Reality
- Mayor To Target Rail Trail Funds
For mine, the rail trail project is not a benefit to the South Burnett other than a potential bottomless money-costing project. Question, how will it be maintained at what cost, how far does $2 million go with the plan being put forward and will the person presenting the project become the South Burnett Regional Council Tourist Officer supported / funded again by the ratepayers of the South Burnett? Do we really need one on top of the Precinct in Haly Street? Just another added cost not needed.
This project is vital to the health and well-being of residents living in towns along, and in proximity to the trail.
I say this because our family has means to utilize the trail, not on dangerous local hilly roads or highways, being unsuitable for recreational transit/exercise. Therefore, this couldn’t come soon enough. The maintenance cost I am confident will be managed smartly.
As for horses on proposed decomposed granite surface (that I’m aware of) they can only ride off the side of the trail, as hoof damage would ruin the trail surface for cyclists and walkers. Horse provision requires further ground work, and further maintenance in this respect, and I have doubts that horse riders would stay off the cycling/walking surfaces, let alone clean up their droppings. (I’m sure not all riders are like that…)
Horse riders should be aware that only dirt trails are fit for them, not smooth laid pedestrian surfaces towing infant trailers, racers, or people with unsuspecting ankles falling into hoof ‘divots’ etc.
Essentially, this trail link towns with low-impact, alternative people transit otherwise not possible between towns. Provisions for shelter, and drinking water should be important mid-way between towns. Imagine mid-summer heat, or a storm, with hail even, and nowhere to take shelter mid-way!
Health, recreation, weight loss is needed for many South Burnett residents and you can’t put a price on that!
Phooey to the comments debating its necessity, or costs, likely coming from those without intent to use this trail.
There has also not been enough published information available during the entire pre/post State Government approval submissions, even if amendments are expected.
I presume this is the people’s South Burnett, not the council’s, despite everyone needing to visit a council chamber for such information. I don’t even know if my own survey submission made the table… Anyone else feel the same I wonder? My own ideas/needs I felt were very important, also for the benefit of others. Were they even considered?
Following up from my previous comment on 1/8/15 in relation to the SBRC’s management of this project, I feel it is acting in good faith toward spending allocated and ongoing funds to make this project work for the good of the community. I only hope that funding is not thrown away on inefficient works, and blown-out completion deadlines, because these funds could certainly be utilised on extending this project’s facilities or town beautification works along the trail.
It has been common to see State road works, for example, blow budgets and prolong time allocations to complete works. I am pleased with Council on this project thus far. Keep up the good work making it work for us! It’s all looking very promising.
Menacing was the Shire’s action group throwing concerns around regarding rate rises to fund this trail, etc, etc, when the project was already well underway, and public submissions already came to pass.
Fair dinkum, if progress were thwarted by such progress-stopping individuals, I for one would pack up and leave the area knowing it would never change with those attitudes, and those stuck in their homes have no hope but to sit at home getting fat. That’s the bottom line in this (aside from the tourism, and business the RT brings.) Thumbs up to SBRC.