{"id":250938,"date":"2020-01-19T18:41:33","date_gmt":"2020-01-19T08:41:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=250938"},"modified":"2020-12-16T16:20:41","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T06:20:41","slug":"council-receives-rail-trail-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/01\/19\/council-receives-rail-trail-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Council Receives Rail Trail Report"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
The Murgon-Proston railway line opened in 1923 and fuelled the development of Proston … a new study suggests converting the Proston-Hivesville section to a rail trail could help save both towns (Photo: State Library of Queensland)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

January 19, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

A 13.4km rail trail between Proston and Hivesville could cost an estimated $2.2 million to build but would inject about $786,000 a year into the Proston-Hivesville economy, according to a new study.<\/p>\n

Trail building costs could be paid by Federal and State Government grants, and annual maintenance of the trail was likely to cost ratepayers as little as $6500 to $39,000 per year.<\/p>\n

The figures were outlined in the Murgon-Proston Rail Trail Feasibility Study presented at the South Burnett Regional Council’s January meeting.<\/p>\n

After a short discussion on the topic – during which Mayor Keith Campbell noted the project would not be included in Council’s capital works program – councillors followed a recommendation simply to receive the report.<\/p>\n

The $48,000 study was carried out by Mike Halliburton Associates and was fully funded by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.<\/p>\n

It was carried out at the request of Proston residents after a public meeting held in Proston’s Community Hall last January.<\/p>\n

At that meeting, Councillors were urged to apply for a grant to determine if it was feasible to extend the South Burnett Rail Trail from Murgon to Proston.<\/p>\n

Councillors agreed to do so on condition that conducting the study did not commit Council to taking any specific action on it.<\/p>\n

Mr Halliburton, who carried out the original feasibility assessment for the South Burnett Rail Trail, was appointed by TMR to carry out the work.<\/strong><\/p>\n

His study involved on-site inspections of the route and public consultation meetings in Murgon, Mondure, Hivesville and Proston to test local sentiment.<\/p>\n

He also analysed the economic impacts and likely construction and maintenance costs of the proposed trail, based on studies of 100 other Australian rail trails.<\/p>\n

The study found that while sections of the former railway line near Murgon and Proston would be attractive to rail trail users, a long strip between Byee and Mondure which passed through flat and featureless farming land would not be.<\/p>\n

It noted noted some farms along the route had been extended across the former rail line; and aerial spraying was a “problematic concern”.<\/p>\n

Sections of the route would also require the construction of bridges and would be prone to flooding in extreme weather, potentially doubling construction and future maintenance costs.<\/p>\n

However, Mr Halliburton suggested\u00a0the Hivesville-Proston section was ideal for a short trail and would provide the best return on investment.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Construction of this section would attract overnight visitors to both towns and, if horses were allowed, could also attract equestrian groups.<\/p>\n

A Proston-Hivesville Trail could also increase the appeal of both the South Burnett and Brisbane Valley rail trails to visitors by offering an extra option.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the Council meeting, Mayor Keith Campbell underlined that Council’s acceptance of the study did not commit it to pursuing the matter.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“This is not on Council’s capital works program at the moment – it’s just a study,” he said.<\/p>\n

He said Council had applied for the funding on behalf of the Coverty Creek Community Development Association, which he believed no longer existed.<\/p>\n

Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff said she disagreed Council should take no action, saying businesses in Proston were very keen to get something like this.<\/p>\n

“This is a very balanced, good report,” Cr Duff said.<\/p>\n

“Hivesville-Proston is the only viable section at the moment. Mondure farmers were upset, but Proston-Hivesville is not affected by this.”<\/p>\n

She said the study showed the project was affordable and the benefits it would inject into Proston and Hivesville were considerable.<\/p>\n