“Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail” is aiming to facilitate a proposed development of the rail corridor from Taragoola (near Gladstone, Central Queensland), through the Boyne Valley, on to Monto, Eidsvold, Mundubbera and south through Gayndah.
The corridor is an inland link between Gladstone and Gayndah, which has great potential to attract tourists in numbers. In time, this website will showcase all the attractions along the trail.
A Newly Incorporated Association
In June 2018 the BBIRT Working Group took the necessary steps to incorporate as a not for profit group with the following aims:
- Promote and enhance economic development through tourism for the well being and benefit of communities adjacent to the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail.
- Develop and preserve infrastructure along the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail.
- Preserve the history and culture of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail and associated communities.
- Promote and enhance economic development along the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail and adjacent communities.
- Enhance the natural environment and enable the public to visit the land to gain enjoyment from the natural environment along the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail.
- Goal: Attract increasingly significant visitor numbers to the Trail and adjacent communities in coming years.
- Note: The Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail is defined as the transport corridor from Taragoola (near Calliope) to Gayndah.
We are now Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail Inc.
Our Beginnings
As far back as 2012 several community groups from towns along the inland railway line from Gladstone to Maryborough held discussions with Queensland government representatives regarding the future of the corridor. Each district had their own aims and ambitions for the future of the corridor which had not been in use since 2002.
These ranged from trying to preserve the tracks as working rail to developing the corridor as a recreational trail which could showcase some of the old infrastructure, while creating a “railtrail” to attract a wide range of tourists to the various towns and districts along the path of the old rail corridor.
In December 2017 & then in January 2018, Desley O’Grady (Councillor Gladstone Regional Council) facilitated community forums with participation of fifty-five (55) community members who have displayed significant interest in preserving the Monto-Taragoola Railway Corridor. These community members were representing localities such as Boyne Valley, Monto, Kalpowar, Gladstone, Calliope, Nagoorin, Gayndah and even overseas destinations, among others. The purpose of the meetings were to determine what activities will be carried out by each community group or “Ambassadors” to lobby government to save this important part of our heritage.
The first outcome of the meeting was the establishment of a working group or steering committee consisting:
– Desley O’Grady (Chairperson)
– Vicki Mackay (Secretary)
– Annie Johnson (Gehgre Aboriginal Corporation)
– Drew Forsythe (Burnett Boyne Rail Preservation group Inc.)
– Mike Goebel (Gayndah Rail Trail Ambassador)
– Steve Alford (Community member Mungungo)
– Neville Mossman (Ubobo Discovery Centre) and
– Ross McClure (Nagoorin Progress Association).
“Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail” is the nominated name of this working group.
It was unanimously decided that the steering committee will actively pursue the preservation of as much rail line as possible.
Places like Mungungo, Kalpowar and the Boyne Valley are all part of the National Heritage Trail because of their historic & cultural value.
The group believe by preserving the railway corridor it will bring significant economic opportunities to both regions. These economic opportunities are represented in the expansion of existing tourism endeavours that would include to link-up with the Gayndah rail trail.
The forming of the committee and the continued support of the community at our monthly community sessions are becoming uniquely collaborative and has brought together residents from surrounding communities on a joint venture. It has also brought both the North Burnett Regional Council and Gladstone Regional Council together on a project that we benefit both regions. With this support, we hope to advocate for financial and logistic support before state and federal governments in co-operation with each other.
We encourage you to follow our website and Facebook page, and become involved in supporting the group at our community forums.
