RE-OPENED BRIDGE ASSISTS GULF SAVANNAH TOURISM

The re-opening of the Copperfield Bridge in far north Queensland has put one of Australia's most remarkable tourist train services 'back on track', Transport Minister Paul Lucas said today.

Mr Lucas said Queensland Transport's decision to rebuild the bridge at a cost of $920,000 has allowed the Savannahlander to once again operate along the entire route between Cairns and Forsayth via Mount Surprise.

"Flooding damaged the bridge, the railway track and other related structures in February 2002," Mr Lucas told guests at today's commissioning of the new bridge.

"After that the train could run only as far as Mount Surprise, where passengers transferred to a bus to continue on to Forsayth.

"Rebuilding the bridge over the Copperfield River at Einasleigh followed major maintenance on the track from Mount Surprise, 40 kilometres away.

"Passengers can now travel by the one mode for the full distance along one of the most scenic train journeys in Australia."

The Savannahlander leaves Cairns on Wednesdays and travels up the Barron Gorge to the Kuranda rainforest and on to Forsayth, a former mining town.

The train stops at Mount Surprise for visits to limestone caves at Chillagoe and the Undara lava tubes.

It completes the 425km journey when it returns to Cairns on Saturdays.

Mr Lucas said up to 14 QR construction crew were involved at the peak of the bridge rebuilding project.

Funding for the project was made available from Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements, administered by the federal Department of Transport and Regional Services.

"This is an historic piece of railway in Queensland, as the line from Cairns to Mareeba opened in 1893 and was extended to Forsayth in 1911," Mr Lucas said.

"A private company recently took over from QR as the service operator.

"The new arrangements will enable this historic service to be better integrated into regional tourism and the economic development of the area in which it operates.

"The Beattie Government is committed to fostering economic growth and employment along the rail corridor, attracting more tourists to the Gulf Savannah region and increasing the efficiency and use of the railway line.

"It's also a vital communications link for people who live along the route."

Mr Lucas said the company operating the Savannahlander, Cairns Kuranda Steam Limited Partnership, had been working with tourism operators in the area to identify how the train could best open up more local options for passengers.

Media contact: Alison Smith 3237 1947 / 0407 166 084