Published Monday, 22 January, 2007 at 03:17 PM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Qld Govt funds trails and develops SEQ outdoor recreation strategy
22 January 2007
The Queensland Government is making another significant investment in outdoor recreation in South East Queensland with Acting Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh today announcing that $8.8 million had been earmarked to develop three regional recreation trails over the next five years.
Ms Bligh also released a discussion paper seeking public input into the proposed South East Queensland Regional Outdoor Recreation Strategy – an initiative aimed at making even greater use of the region’s great outdoors.
“Once completed, the Strategy will provide an overall framework for coordinating State and local government, private industry and community organisation efforts to deliver and manage outdoor recreation activity areas.
It is envisaged the strategy will include plans for outdoor recreation activities including;
? A Regional Trails Strategy that in the long-term will provide up to 9 trails for walking, cycling, horse riding and canoeing. (Funding for 3 announced today)
? Developing a regional water-based recreational strategy – covering activities such as swimming, fishing, canoeing, yachting, and motorised recreational vehicles.
? Formulating a plan for difficult-to-locate activities, such as trail-bike riding, and mountain biking.
“To get as much community involvement in the strategy as possible we are today releasing the Strategy’s Discussion Paper for public comment.
“Each year people in South East Queensland undertake 170 million outdoor recreation activities worth an estimated $1 billion to the Queensland economy.
“South East Queensland already has more than 3000 kilometres of recreation trails either on National Parks and State forests managed by the Environmental Protection Agency or on areas controlled by individual local governments.”
“We boast some of the finest places for outdoor recreation activities in Australia and it’s great to see so many people take full advantage of the Queensland lifestyle.
“We want this enthusiasm for outdoor recreation to continue which is why I encourage anyone with a strong interest in outdoor recreation to read the discussion paper and give us their feedback. Any feedback will be used to inform the development of the Outdoor Recreation Strategy.
“People can write to the Office of Urban Management or complete a questionnaire which is included in the Information Paper and is available online at www.oum.qld.gov.au
One component of the Outdoor Recreation Strategy which has already been completed is the Regional Trails Strategy, which is a long-term plan for up to nine recreational trails across South East Queensland.
“It was prepared in partnership between State and local government and the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation.
“The $8.8 million funding I am announcing today is for the development of three of those recreation trails and is further evidence of the Government’s commitment to encouraging a healthy outdoor lifestyle in South East Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh said two of the new recreation trails would reward and challenge people looking for great walks, horse riding, cycling and mountain bike riding opportunities while the third trail would cater for canoeing and kayaking.
“The trails deliver on key components of the Government’s election commitments under Living the Queensland Lifestyle. The recreation trails will also provide a broad range of social, tourism and health benefits to the region’s growing population,” Ms Bligh said.
? One of the trails involves converting the disused Brisbane Valley Railway into a 140-kilometre recreation trail from Ipswich to Blackbutt to form the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. The Rail Trail winds its way north from Ipswich through Fernvale, Lowood, Esk, Toogoolawah onto the Blackbutt and traverse past some spectacular scenery. The $3.6 million funding includes; $2.1M for track construction (earthworks and track base) fencing, erosion control, toxic site remediation, tree planting, signage and gates; $700,000 - Rail bridge at Harlen (over Cressbrook Ck), other bridges and gully crossings on the Linville to Blackbutt section may require substantial work or replacement. $500,000 - road crossings for the D’Aguila and Brisbane Valley Highways and other major roads $160,000 [Horse yards + pedestal toilets + camping area for 15 people + water tank + fencing + bike rack + fireplaces]
? The Boonah to Ipswich Trail will be approximately 76 kilometres long and will cater for the current and future populations in Greater Ipswich and the Western Corridor. It will link Ipswich to the new Wyaralong Dam and the Boonah district. The $2.4 million funding includes: $160,000 [Horse yards + pedestal toilets + camping area for 15 people + water tank + fencing + bike rack + fireplaces] $150,000 sleeping shelters $400,000 [Trail head facilities with car park for tow vehicles + floats+ pedestal toilet + fencing + bike rack] $400,000 road crossings, $780,000 60km new track or works, $20,000 safety signs
? The Maroochy River Canoe Trail will be around 28 kilometres long, flowing from the South Maroochy River, near Yandina, through beautiful natural and agricultural landscapes downstream to Maroochydore. The proposed riverside parking areas and water access facilities will prove popular with residents and tourists alike. The $500,000 funding includes: $280,000 [Trail head facility with car park for 10 cars without trailers + 5 with trailers + pedestal toilets + fencing + river access ramp or pontoon], $200,000 river-shore access pontoon/ramps with pedestal toilet and drinking water supply, $20,000 direction, interpretive, regulatory and safety signs
Media contact: Steve Keating 322 44379 John Algate 322 45982
The Queensland Government is making another significant investment in outdoor recreation in South East Queensland with Acting Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh today announcing that $8.8 million had been earmarked to develop three regional recreation trails over the next five years.
Ms Bligh also released a discussion paper seeking public input into the proposed South East Queensland Regional Outdoor Recreation Strategy – an initiative aimed at making even greater use of the region’s great outdoors.
“Once completed, the Strategy will provide an overall framework for coordinating State and local government, private industry and community organisation efforts to deliver and manage outdoor recreation activity areas.
It is envisaged the strategy will include plans for outdoor recreation activities including;
? A Regional Trails Strategy that in the long-term will provide up to 9 trails for walking, cycling, horse riding and canoeing. (Funding for 3 announced today)
? Developing a regional water-based recreational strategy – covering activities such as swimming, fishing, canoeing, yachting, and motorised recreational vehicles.
? Formulating a plan for difficult-to-locate activities, such as trail-bike riding, and mountain biking.
“To get as much community involvement in the strategy as possible we are today releasing the Strategy’s Discussion Paper for public comment.
“Each year people in South East Queensland undertake 170 million outdoor recreation activities worth an estimated $1 billion to the Queensland economy.
“South East Queensland already has more than 3000 kilometres of recreation trails either on National Parks and State forests managed by the Environmental Protection Agency or on areas controlled by individual local governments.”
“We boast some of the finest places for outdoor recreation activities in Australia and it’s great to see so many people take full advantage of the Queensland lifestyle.
“We want this enthusiasm for outdoor recreation to continue which is why I encourage anyone with a strong interest in outdoor recreation to read the discussion paper and give us their feedback. Any feedback will be used to inform the development of the Outdoor Recreation Strategy.
“People can write to the Office of Urban Management or complete a questionnaire which is included in the Information Paper and is available online at www.oum.qld.gov.au
One component of the Outdoor Recreation Strategy which has already been completed is the Regional Trails Strategy, which is a long-term plan for up to nine recreational trails across South East Queensland.
“It was prepared in partnership between State and local government and the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation.
“The $8.8 million funding I am announcing today is for the development of three of those recreation trails and is further evidence of the Government’s commitment to encouraging a healthy outdoor lifestyle in South East Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh said two of the new recreation trails would reward and challenge people looking for great walks, horse riding, cycling and mountain bike riding opportunities while the third trail would cater for canoeing and kayaking.
“The trails deliver on key components of the Government’s election commitments under Living the Queensland Lifestyle. The recreation trails will also provide a broad range of social, tourism and health benefits to the region’s growing population,” Ms Bligh said.
? One of the trails involves converting the disused Brisbane Valley Railway into a 140-kilometre recreation trail from Ipswich to Blackbutt to form the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. The Rail Trail winds its way north from Ipswich through Fernvale, Lowood, Esk, Toogoolawah onto the Blackbutt and traverse past some spectacular scenery. The $3.6 million funding includes; $2.1M for track construction (earthworks and track base) fencing, erosion control, toxic site remediation, tree planting, signage and gates; $700,000 - Rail bridge at Harlen (over Cressbrook Ck), other bridges and gully crossings on the Linville to Blackbutt section may require substantial work or replacement. $500,000 - road crossings for the D’Aguila and Brisbane Valley Highways and other major roads $160,000 [Horse yards + pedestal toilets + camping area for 15 people + water tank + fencing + bike rack + fireplaces]
? The Boonah to Ipswich Trail will be approximately 76 kilometres long and will cater for the current and future populations in Greater Ipswich and the Western Corridor. It will link Ipswich to the new Wyaralong Dam and the Boonah district. The $2.4 million funding includes: $160,000 [Horse yards + pedestal toilets + camping area for 15 people + water tank + fencing + bike rack + fireplaces] $150,000 sleeping shelters $400,000 [Trail head facilities with car park for tow vehicles + floats+ pedestal toilet + fencing + bike rack] $400,000 road crossings, $780,000 60km new track or works, $20,000 safety signs
? The Maroochy River Canoe Trail will be around 28 kilometres long, flowing from the South Maroochy River, near Yandina, through beautiful natural and agricultural landscapes downstream to Maroochydore. The proposed riverside parking areas and water access facilities will prove popular with residents and tourists alike. The $500,000 funding includes: $280,000 [Trail head facility with car park for 10 cars without trailers + 5 with trailers + pedestal toilets + fencing + river access ramp or pontoon], $200,000 river-shore access pontoon/ramps with pedestal toilet and drinking water supply, $20,000 direction, interpretive, regulatory and safety signs
Media contact: Steve Keating 322 44379 John Algate 322 45982