$1.1 million for rail trail

Luke and Jo Emery and Jan Boyd using the former railway track at Barmaryee which will become a Rail Trail for walkers and bike riders. INSET: The railway track from Yeppoon to Rockhampton.

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THE sound of running creeks, birds chirping and view of bushland is what awaits keen Yeppoon cyclists and walkers, like Jan Boyd.

Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan yesterday said his wish had come true, as this year's State Budget would provide $1.1 million for the first stage of a Rail Trail in Yeppoon – a walking and bicycle track stretching along the former rail corridor between Yeppoon and Rockhampton.

It is one of several projects on the Capricorn Coast that the State Government will fund in the budget.

Mr Hoolihan said the first stage of the 46km track would be a 6km pathway between Yeppoon and Bondoola, “laying the planks” for the completion of the track in coming years.

Jan, a recreational bike rider and president of the Capricorn Coast Bicycle Users Group, yesterday said she had been waiting for five years to take a ride along the picturesque track.

She regularly takes a holiday to cycle along other rail trails in Australia and said the track would be “wonderful” for the community, particularly school children and tourists.

“Riding off road and amongst the trees is a lovely thing to be doing,” she said.

“The users won't be triathletes, it will be mum and dad and the kids and older people and tourists.”

The rail trail will provide locals and tourists with a scenic bicycle and walking track from Yeppoon through Bondoola, Cawarral, Mt Chalmers, Nankin, to Rockhampton.

She wanted the pathway to be natural, without concrete.

Meanwhile, $1.09 million has been allocated to Taranganba State School for a kindergarten, and $2.54 million towards the completion of a bridge at Stoney Creek, Byfield.

BUDGET

Key funding projects for Keppel:

$1.1M for first stage of Rail Trail between Yeppoon and Bondoola

$6.42M for a new substation in Keppel electorate

$2.54M to complete bridge at Stoney Creek

$1.09M for a kindergarten at Taranganba SS

$283,000 to upgrade Park St, Yeppoon.

$131,500 for upgrade of Bluff Point walking track

$131,000 to restore access points along Nine Mile Beach

$48,000 for upgrades in Byfield National Park