Article: Death knell for historic Hughenden railway line

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Death knell for historic Hughenden railway line

Death knell for historic Hughenden railway line

JESSICA JOHNSTON

September 8th, 2008

HUGHENDEN is farewelling more than 100 years of rail history to upgrade a highway.

Flinders and Winton shire councils have agreed to close the historic Hughenden to Winton branch line and
channel the $25 million to be used for rail maintenance into infrastructure for the area.

One project flagged for funding is an upgrade of the highway between Hughenden and Winton.

Flinders Shire Council Mayor Brendan McNamara said the rail line had not been used for more than 10 years.

"We've had community meetings at both ends," Cr McNamara said.

"Originally people weren't happy with that idea, but I guess the possibility of getting a much better, improved road was what people looked at."

Hughenden depended on its rail network for more than 100 years, linking it to major regional centres.

The Hughenden to Winton rail line was constructed in three 64km (40-mile) sections and opened on December 13, 1897.

The line was regarded as a back-up line, if disaster struck the coastal rail line, preventing goods from reaching Townsville.

Queensland Rail has estimated the line's maintenance cost to be up to $2.5 million a
year.

The department decided about two years ago the infrastructure of the line was no longer suitable for new locomotive and rolling stock, and unlikely to be upgraded.

The 210km stretch of road between Hughenden and Winton is about 8m wide and made of bitumen.

Cr McNamara said it had deteriorated badly over the years.

The project would be funded over 10 years.

"People have decided they'd rather have a better quality bitumen road, rather than a poor quality bitumen road and a railway line that hasn't been used," he said.

Mount Isa MP Betty Kiernan said the move had the support of the State Government.

"This proposal will greatly improve the region's transport network and constitutes a win-win for the people of the electorate," Ms Kiernan said.

"The $25 million will be used towards projects and building a rail loop at Winton which will improve gypsum and livestock haulage.

"The rail loop will put more livestock on rail, allowing the expansion of livestock transport in the electorate to occur.

"This closure shows that the State Government is delivering in the electorate of Mount Isa to continue to fulfil its commitment to provide quality transport infrastructure."

Cr McNamara said it was sad the shire would be farewelling some of its history, however the move was to embrace the 21st century.

"It's leaving some history, but at the same time QR has encouraged the line not to be used in the last 10
to 15 years," he said."