December 11, 2017
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Users Association (BVRTUA) has called for the establishment of a single authority to manage the entire Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
At its recent Annual General Meeting, the BVRTUA said current arrangements where there are seven different entities managing the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail are unsatisfactory.
“We cannot continue with the situation where, for example, one entity is installing grids and another is refusing to have anything to do with them,” BVRTUA president Paul Heymans said.
“We need a consistent standard for maintenance and improvements along the entire length of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.”
They envision a central management group would be similar to the Otago Rail Trail Charitable Trust, which manages the Otago Rail Trail in New Zealand.
Mr Heymans said there are a number of different models for how that could be achieved, but a good starting point might be to establish an advisory body working under the authority of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, which is the peak BVRT management organisation.
“When the BVRTUA was first established, our primary objective was to lobby for the rail trail to be completed,” Mr Heymans said.
“We’ve achieved that in spades – $3.4 million has been secured and as of Wednesday, November 29, machinery is being deployed out on the Toogoolawah to Moore section to commence work.
“Weather events permitting, we anticipate the rail trail could be completed as early as April or May 2018.”
Mr Heymans said there is still more work to be done.
“Our lobbying has already achieved hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of improvements, ranging from a cattle creep between Fernvale and Lowood to concrete ramps in some of the steep gullies, and restoration of flood damage at Nunn’s Road.
“But there are many other improvements we have in our sights, too – the decking of Lockyer Creek bridge is a high priority along with more shade shelters, surface improvements, and more grids beside the gates to improve flow through for cyclists who comprise 90 per cent of BVRT users.
“However our number one priority is the establishment of a single authority to manage the entire rail trail.”
Mr Heymans warned the coming year will be a critical one for the BVRT.
“We have a number of ideas about our future role, but at this point in time I think it’s important for us to maintain flexibility and adapt to circumstances as they arise.
“We are above all the primary advocacy organisation for users of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, and that will continue to be our role.
“We thank everyone for their support.”
Totally agree with Paul. Too many cooks spoil the broth. What the trail needs is proper amenities at designated way stations. Hot showers (coin operated maybe?), toilets, barbecues, drinking water, and somewhere to put a tent up on long haul trips.
It would be even better if that governing body were concerned with ALL users of the trail and not just with one particular group or section of the community. The trail is used by many who have different ways of traversing it so to focus on one is not fair to all the others. BVRTUA are primarily concerned with cycling, so I would ask what the focus of the trail would be of a governing authority should certain individuals become involved.