Atherton Tablelands Rail Trails Feasibility Study

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Atherton Tablelands Rail Trails Feasibility StudyOver 80 community meeting notifications were sent out to a range of interestgroups across the region (based on a stakeholder list provided by QueenslandTransport). Steps were taken to notify 47 landowners who were seen as likely to beadjoining the proposed trail corridor. These landowners were notified of the publicmeeting, but were also informed that the consultants would be on the publiclyownedparts of the corridor. The letter included a table of issues and possiblesolutions associated with rail-trail development (based on experience elsewhere)and requested their comments or thoughts on the solutions and their unique issues.Unfortunately, due to the vagaries of the postal system and the fact thatlandholders did not clear their mailboxes each day, some complained that they didnot receive notification until very close to the meeting date. However, some landowners took the opportunity to meet with the consultants during the fieldwork,while others made written submissions, had phone conversations, and attended thepublic meeting.6.3.1 Project Steering Committee MeetingsThe consultants met twice with the Project Steering Committee in Atherton duringthe course of the first field trip. A project inception meeting was held on 27 Augustat the outset of the feasibility project. Key points raised included the scope andcontent of the final report, discussion of outcomes, and specific issues aroundelements of the trails. These issues included:oooooooThe potential use of the Atherton to Ravenshoe corridor by the CairnsHinterland Railway Interest Society (CHRIS).The possibility of rebuilding the Peterson Creek and Barron River bridges on topof the concrete piers.Possible land swap involving the railway reserve through properties 2RP715853and 2SP107472 for an alignment along the Barron River.Atherton Shire Council has applied to Qld Rail for a sub-lease over the Atherton-Tolga line. It was thought that the last train ran on this section in 2004.Atherton to Tolga was nominated as principal commuter route with high priorityfor development as a trail/pathway in a recent workshop for the Principal CycleNetwork Plan for FNQ. Links from the rail corridor to the industrial area at Tolgaare also needed, as well as links to the primary school in Tolga.High school students in Atherton are using the rail corridor already.Atherton and Eacham Shire Councils will not take on the bridges in their currentstate.The second meeting with the Committee was held on 31 August and provided theconsultants with the chance to report back to the Committee on the field inspectionsand various meetings that had taken place over the previous week. Key issuesdiscussed were:oooIt is worth noting that the benefits of a rail-trail in the region will apply to anyof the potential rail-trails.Mareeba-Atherton is a high priority cycle route in the Principal Cycle NetworkPlan for FNQ – as a commuter route.Need to liaise with proponents of the Mareeba-Atherton trail. Mareeba-Athertonis a third order priority in the feasibility study.Mike Halliburton Associates and Transplan Pty Ltd 50
Atherton Tablelands Rail Trails Feasibility StudyoooooooooooooooAtherton-Herberton-Ravenshoe line has substantially more positives. There arefewer adjoining landowners, there are more rural lifestyle blocks with somecattle properties, and it offers potential for some commuting. The issues includepossible use of the corridor by tourist steam trains though it is understoodthese will have road crossing issues (trains will not be permitted to crossroads).Atherton-Herberton line would provide a high quality trail, and has goodprospects.Herberton people have advised that a rail-trail would support the proposedmountain bike park in Herberton. They also have plans for a railway museum.There is interest among Herberton people in a rail-trail and little, if any, conflictwith any of their proposals.Yungaburra-Atherton corridor has some positive attributes - a strong advocacygroup, many potential volunteers and historic bridges.There are however some major negative attributes of the Yungaburra-Athertoncorridor, notably the discontinuity of ownership of the former railway corridor.While there are some alternatives on quiet country roads, these do not applyalong the entire route.Tolga-Kairi railway corridor exists as an entity, but doesn’t connect (on publiclyowned corridor) to Yungaburra. There is a need to use rural roads, and create acycle touring route.Other difficulties are that the Mazlin Creek bridge is in private ownership,continual spraying (as area is intensively cropped), the bridges requiresignificant expenditure for rehabilitation, and the placement of pivot sprays onroad reserves between Favier Road and Godfrey Road.Further examination of Atherton-Herberton-Ravenshoe corridor is warranted,and Atherton and Herberton Councils should examine land ownership (tenure),and seek feedback regarding the possibility of that corridor becoming a railtrail.Question remains over how to justify the expense of retaining the PetersonCreek bridge.People should be mindful of the ability of cyclists to use local, quiet roads (suchas Pinnacle Pocket Rd, Thomas Rd and Davis Rd).Cairns is the #1 tourist destination in Queensland – and most come up to theTablelands for a day trip.The attitude of landowners adjoining the Yungaburra-Atherton could/maychange over time.Members of the Committee questioned whether horse use will be included onany of the rail-trails (as many National Parks are now closed to horse riders).The Atherton-Herberton Rail Trail (should it be developed) would probably needto cater for horse use.There is the possibility of the corridor through Atherton being used as a routefor a proposed by-pass road.Mike Halliburton Associates and Transplan Pty Ltd 51
Page 1: AthertonTablelands RailTrails Feasi
Page 4 and 5: Atherton Tablelands Rail Trails Fea
Page 22: Atherton Tablelands Rail Trails Fea
Page 49: Atherton Tablelands Rail Trails Fea
Page 101 and 102:
Atherton Tablelands Rail Trails Fea
Page 103 and 104:
Page 105 and 106:
Page 107 and 108:
Page 109 and 110:
Page 111 and 112:
Page 113 and 114:
Page 115 and 116:
Page 117 and 118:
Page 119 and 120:
Page 121 and 122:
Page 123 and 124:
Page 125 and 126:
Page 127 and 128:
Page 129 and 130:
Page 131 and 132:
Page 133 and 134:
Page 135 and 136:
Page 137 and 138:
Page 139 and 140:
Page 141 and 142:
Page 143 and 144:
Page 145 and 146:
Page 147 and 148:
Page 149 and 150:
Page 151 and 152:
Page 153 and 154:
Page 155 and 156:
Page 157 and 158:
Page 159 and 160:
Page 161 and 162:
Page 163 and 164:
Page 165 and 166:
Page 167 and 168:
Page 169 and 170:
Page 171 and 172:
Page 173 and 174:
Page 175 and 176:
Page 177 and 178:
Page 179 and 180:
Page 181 and 182:
Page 183 and 184:
Page 185 and 186:
Page 187 and 188:
Page 189 and 190:
Page 191 and 192:
Page 193 and 194:
Page 195 and 196:
Page 197 and 198:
Page 199 and 200:
Page 201 and 202:
Page 203 and 204:
show all

Atherton Tablelands Rail Trails Feasibility Study

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?