July 16, 2015
An online petition has been launched seeking support from the State Government to complete two “missing” sections of the Brisbane Valley Rail trail.
The two gaps are from Wulkuraka Station (near Ipswich) to Wanora (15km) and from Toogoolawah to Moore (30km).
The Change.Org petition was started by Paul Heymans, from Wivenhoe Pocket, who organised the ‘The Real 160km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail End-to-End Bike Ride” which began on May 16.
He said that if the trail was completed it would be the longest continuous Rail Trail in Australia or New Zealand and would have the potential to become a major tourist attraction similar to the popular Otago Trail in New Zealand.
Currently, the Rail Trail is open from Wanora to Toogoolawah, and from Moore to Yarraman.
Paul says the two incomplete sections reduce the recreational and tourism value of the trail as there is no public transport or shuttle service to transport users around the incomplete sections, so anyone wanting to traverse the entire length has to venture onto the main highway.
This is the second petition on the issue he has launched.
Last year, he petitioned Somerset Regional Council to apply for grant funding to complete the trail. He attracted 1183 supporters and in January this year, Council passed a resolution to apply for the funding subject to terms and conditions.
“Unfortunately, they had left it too late as the Queensland State elections were called and there was a change in government,” Paul said.
“It is not yet known what policy the current Labor Queensland Government has towards the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, so we’ve rebooted the campaign with a new petition.”
- External link: Change.org petition
- Related article: Push To Open Rail Trail ‘Missing Links’
