This important piece of community engagement will run until Sunday 16 May, via Council’s online Conversations platform, offering people a chance to help shape the concept design of the rail trail. 
 
Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said there will be two stages in the feedback process. 
 
“Initially, community members and potential rail trail users will be invited to complete brief surveys, ask questions and share their ideas about trail features, with the feedback considered in the development of the concept design,” Councillor Burnett said. 
 
“In addition to the surveys, an interactive map has been embedded on the Conversations page allowing users to drop a marker at a specific point along the proposed rail trail corridor and leave comments. 
 
“Users can also click on the existing features of each route including picnic areas, toilets, shelters, bridges, tunnels, stock crossings and more. 
 
“In the second stage, the draft concept design will be presented for public comment, offering another chance for the community to have their say on the design.” 
 
Cr Burnett said people who cannot access the online survey can do so by phoning the Community Engagement Centre on 4976 6300 but encouraged participation via the Conversations platform. 
 
“Council officers will also attend the Calliope River Historical Village Markets on 2 May from 8amnoon and project posters with a QR code linking to the survey will be in place at regional events, such as markets and at Council offices,” he said. 
 
Cr Burnett added that North Burnett Regional Council residents can also participate in the surveys.

Background on Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail 

In 2018, Gladstone Regional Council resolved at meetings on 20 March and 3 July to partner with North Burnett Regional Council and apply for a fully funded feasibility study in order to turn the disused 270km long rail corridor, owned and managed by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, between Taragoola (Calliope) and Gayndah (Reids Creek) into a Rail Trail.  
 
Community interest and successful projects on other rail corridors saw TMR provide all funding under the Rail Trail Local Government Grants program. 

Both councils then commissioned Mike Halliburton Associates to undertake the feasibility study, which was published in March 2019. 
 
During the project, an Interim Report (published October 2018) was submitted which recommended three smaller trails be further investigated for the final Feasibility Study rather than the entire trail.  
 
These trails were:

• Awoonga Lake Rail Trail
• Kalpowar Tunnels Rail Trail
• Burnett River Bridges Rail Trail. 

 
Two of these trails – the Awoonga Lake Rail Trail and the Kalpowar Tunnels Rail Trail – are within the Gladstone Region. 
 
Council has since commissioned JFP Urban Consultants to undertake concept designs for the three sections of the corridor. 
 
This process will assess the current condition of the corridor and existing structures and look at issues such as cost and viability of restoring the corridor into a safe and manageable recreation space. 
 
Cr Burnett said that once completed, the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail has the potential to become a regionally significant attraction. 
 
“Establishing a highly recognised rail trail provides a unique tourist destination fit for cycling, walking and horse riding, all while forming part of the Queensland Inland Rail Trail Network,” Cr Burnett said. 
 
“It will take users through towns located along the corridor, improving the regional economy and providing new business opportunities for service providers. 
 
“It will also benefit community connectivity between the towns and villages located along the corridor, reinforcing their historic links and improving future economic development.” 
 
Please visit https://conversations.gladstone.qld.gov.au and click on the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail tile to have your say. 

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