All Aboard the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail

Thoughts are being sought on plans for Australia’s longest continuous rail trail.

Stirling Hinchliffe, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, said the $3.6 million Brisbane Valley Rail Trail signals a new life for the disused train corridor between Blackbutt and Ipswich.

“The 148 km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail will create a picturesque safe haven away from our busy highways for horse riders, mountain bikers and hikers.

“It’s flagged as becoming a unique tourist attraction in its own right with many of the old rail line’s features to be retained, including the original tunnels and bridges.

“More than 30 kilometres of the rail trail are already in service and seeing more cashed up visitors making tracks to Esk and Nanango shires.

Mr Hinchliffe said work had also been recently completed on a 7 kilometre test section of trail between Linville and Moore.

“But before we steam too far down the line we’re asking for public feedback on the timing and construction of further stages, including the location of facilities like horse yards.”

Member for Ipswich West, Wayne Wendt, said the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail would not only be a plus for tourism but also the environment.

“There are clear environmental benefits with plans in place to revegetate and rejuvenate natural habitat areas along the trail.

“It’s a clean and green future for an old rail corridor which began as a passenger and cattle freight line 1905 but was closed in the 1980s because of sagging patronage,” he said.

Esk Mayor Graeme Lehmann said his council was proud to be a partner in the creation of a key piece of recreational infrastructure for the Brisbane Valley.

“The Rail Trail will be a wonderful asset for the entire Brisbane Valley community and visitors alike.

“Ultimately it will re-connect towns and villages along the old railway corridor,” Cr Lehmann said.

Maps and the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail’s draft plan can be viewed until January 31^st 2008 at:

Electoral Office of Wayne Wendt MP, Member for Ipswich West

Shop 1 Brassall Shopping Centre

68 Hunter Street, Brassall

Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm

Office of Councillor Cheryl Bromage

Shop 38A, Brassall Shopping Centre

Hunter Street, Brassall

Monday to Thursday 8.30am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm

Friday 8.30am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm

Fernvale Futures Complex

1483 Brisbane Valley Highway, Fernvale

Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm

Saturday 9am – 2pm

Sunday 8am – 3pm

Esk Visitor Information Centre

82 Ipswich Street, Esk

Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Saturday and Sunday 10am – 3pm

Nanango Council Office

69 Heart Street, Blackbutt

Monday to Friday 8am – 12pm and 1pm – 4.30pm

Ipswich Customer Service Centre

Shop 101 Bell Street, Ipswich

Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm

Department of Infrastructure and Planning website www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au.

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail’s final plan will be released in March 2008.

Media contact: Darren Roberts 0448 184566