Another step closer to becoming Australia’s longest rail trail for Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail

Construction of Australia’s soon to be longest rail trail has recently gained momentum, with the Palaszczuk Government announcing a further $188,000 of funding to continue upgrades on the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail (BBIRT).

Repurposing Australia’s longest rail corridor

Possession of The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and managed by the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail Incorporated (BBIRT Inc) community group, BBRIT is a vast 270km decommissioned rail corridor, stretching from Gayndah to Taragoola, in sunny Central Queensland.

Currently, 200km of the corridor lies dormant, with 3 individual sections open as trails, stringing a combined length of 70km. BBIRT Inc. has plans to completely revive and open the entire 270km as a trail, outdistancing the Brisbane Valley Rail Tail by over 100km, and become the country’s longest rail trail.

Funding intended to improve accessibility and safety of trail

The funding will be used to refurbish the Slab Creek bridge, including re-decking the bridge with handrails to improve accessibility and safety, and diverting trail users away from the steep and challenging creek crossing. This improvement will also enhance the trail’s weather resilience, with the proposed bridge developments better equipped to withstand Queensland’s heavy rain periods.

In addition to the funding for Slab Creek bridge, TMR has purchased redundant rail bridges and provided a 50 per cent funding contribution towards the cost of resurfacing the rail trail, along with the installation of an accessible toilet at the Barrimoon tunnels.

TMR is also assisting with the rehabilitation works required to open the rail trail between Mundubbera and the Apex Ski Park located 3km from the station yard.

Active transport and bike tourism to boost local economies

The open sections of BBIRT already proves to be a valuable tourism asset to the small regional towns of Monto, Gayndah and Mundubberra; the state can expect further boosts to its local economies with the trail’s continued development.

TMR minister Mark Bailey agrees “completing what will be Australia’s longest rail trail is an exciting project that will promote a healthy, active lifestyle and contribute to Queensland’s economic prosperity, benefiting many generations to come.”

Bailey further expressed his confidence in the investment, claiming  “active transport and bike tourism in particular are growing at a significant rate across Australia with many regions in Queensland benefiting from major infrastructure developments that our government is providing.”