August 4, 2017
The Federal Government has come to the rescue of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, putting up $1.45 million to complete the last “missing link” on the recreational trail.
The funding, to complete the trail between Moore and Toogoolawah, has come from the Building Better Regions Fund.
Somerset Regional Council applied for the funding last year and the result was announced on Friday.
The State Government has already offered to put $1.8 million towards the $3.353 million project, with conditions.
The 27km stretch of the trail between Moore and Toogoolawah will have some challenges, including a detour around Ivory Creek and the possible construction of a bridge at Jimmy’s Gully.
Regional Development Minister Fiona Nash said 110 rural, regional and remote projects had been successful under the infrastructure stream of Round 1 of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).
“The Coalition Government will invest $219.5 million into 110 projects which are worth a total of $467.9 million including investment from applicants and other sources,” she said.
“That’s 110 dreams which will become reality in rural, regional and remote Australia thanks to the Building Better Regions Fund.
“I congratulate these successful applicants, who were chosen from a field of 545 applications asking for almost $1 billion in Federal Government funding for projects worth a total of $2 billion.
“After a competitive merit-based selection process, there are always those who were not successful and are naturally disappointed.
“We have dedicated staff in the Department of Industry to give tailored feedback to each unsuccessful applicant to help improve those applications for next time. They can be contacted on bbrffeedback@industry.gov.au”
Ms Nash said she expected to open another round of BBRF funding before the end of the year.
