Ministerial Statement: FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR BRISBANE VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

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Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe
27/11/2009

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR BRISBANE VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

A new section of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail will open tomorrow, Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe has announced.

Mr Hinchliffe said the new section linking Toogoolawah to the site of the old Ottaba train station would be unveiled at 8.30am at the Toogoolawah Station Grounds in Cressbrook Street at Toogoolawah.

Mr Hinchliffe said the launch of the 8km section meant almsot half the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail was complete.

"The latest launch means 64km of the planned 148km trail, to follow the old rail line from Ipswich to Blackbutt, is now open to the public,'' Mr Hinchliffe said.

"This joint project between my department and the Ipswich, Somerset and South Burnett councils is an important part of the Queensland Government's Towards Q2 vision to create a green and healthy Queensland.

"It will deliver recreation, social and health benefits to its users by providing opportunities for families, bicycle tourists, mountain bike riders, outdoor education groups, horse riders and walkers to experience a major part of south-east Queensland's landscape.

"We want people to get out there and enjoy the great outdoors and connect with nature, and also to visit the small towns along the way to appreciate what a great lifestyle we have on offer in regional Queensland.

"Last year the Queensland Government committed $8.8 million over five years to the development of three regional recreation trails: the Boonah to Ipswich Trail, Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, and Maroochy River Canoe Trail.

"To date, $1 million has been provided for the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. The completed sections are Fernvale to Lowood (eight kilometres), Coominya (14km), Esk (four kilometres), Moore to Linville (seven kilometres) and Linville to Blackbutt (23km).

"Like other recreation trails, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail will provide opportunities for local businesses such as bed and breakfasts, tour guides, equipment hire and camping.''

Member for Ipswich West Wayne Wendt said the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail was recently identified by Tourism Queensland as one of South East Queensland Country's tourism development priorities.

"As well as protecting more land for public recreation and encouraging Queenslanders to take part in physical activity, the trail will also contribute to the regional economy by encouraging tourism and recreational businesses and help preserve the region's cultural and natural heritage,'' Mr Wendt said.

"It's a project that celebrates Queensland's great outdoors as well the significant heritage of the region.

"The original railway line through the Brisbane Valley was built during the early years of last century to transport supplies to the growing number of farmers in the Brisbane Valley, and to transport milk products, timber and stock to the Brisbane markets.

"The last rail motor service on the line was in 1989 and the railway line was finally closed later that year.

"Saturday's official opening will mark the 40th anniversary of the last steam train to run along the rail line.''

Mr Wendt said a community day would be held at the Toogoolawah Station Grounds tomorrow to mark the opening of the new link.

"All members of the community are invited to attend the free sausage sizzle from 8.30am and there will be market stalls, a guided walk, and 100 native tree seedlings given away,'' Mr Wendt said.

Mr Wendt, who is also chair of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Steering Committee, will represent Mr Hinchliffe at Saturday's opening. Sharing the honours with Mr Wendt will be mayor of Somerset Regional Council Councillor Graeme Lehmann.

More information on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, local heritage and facilities in the Brisbane Valley can be found at the local visitor information centres at Ipswich, Fernvale, Esk, Blackbutt and Nanango, or at www.brisbanevalleyrailtrail.org.au

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