Rail trail rolls closer to Yeppoon Foreshore
Posted on August 20th, 2019
Pedestrians and cyclists in Yeppoon are set to benefit from a $455,000 extension to the Pineapple Coast Rail Trail.
Stages 2, 3, and 4 of the Capricorn Coast Pineapple Rail Trail are moving closer towards becoming a reality for the community, with a planning and design project including a feasibility study soon to be completed. When complete stages 2, 3 and 4 will extend the rail trail to Mt Chalmers, and take the overall length to 26 kilometres.
Design works have incorporated bridge investigations and an environmental survey, to ensure successful delivery of this much-needed active recreation infrastructure which will not only benefit the community, but enhance opportunities for the local tourism and event sectors in strengthening our growing economy.
The 429m shared path will connect the rail trail to the Yeppoon Foreshore, and will complement an additional $475,000 investment from the state for much-needed maintenance works to the heritage-listed former railway station building, preserving local heritage while building the communities of tomorrow.
Linking Braithwaite Street to the coast will guide people through the heritage precinct to the foreshore, shining a spotlight on past and present.
The Capricorn Coast community has already experienced hugely positive benefits from utilising the existing rail trail, allowing local communities and visitors to use it for walking, bike riding and/or horse riding. Rail trails support active, healthy lifestyles and contribute to environmental preservation and management.
These projects will also help to encourage new investment as part of an overall redevelopment strategy centred around the Station Quarter. The rail trail extension and maintenance to the station building will also help attract a private partner to transform the building for its next productive use.
Livingstone Shire council’s Active Livingstone Strategy documented a strong desire among locals to connect the Pineapple Coast Rail Trail with the Yeppoon Foreshore with the state’s investment in this project bringing the region a step closer to realising that vision, and will also support the case for extending the rail trail between Yeppoon and Rockhampton.
Livingstone Council has committed to investigate additional linkages to the rail trail to further enhance the community’s connectivity.
The State Government has also provided $225,000 to Livingstone Shire Council to plan an extension of the trail between Yeppoon and Mount Chalmers.
Queensland Government media release
Livingstone Shire media release
