Help guide the development of the Mary to Bay Rail Trail

The construction of the Mary to Bay Rail Trail is gaining momentum with the formation of an advisory committee to help the Fraser Coast Regional Council advance the project.

The trail is a shared path for use by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders that will link Maryborough and Hervey Bay along the former rail line.

Council has already invested significantly in earlier stages of this project with the construction of 13.5km of pathway from the Urangan Pier to Nikenbah and a 3.5km section from Piggford Lane to Stockyard Creek.

And in 2019, Council endorsed the Mary to Bay Trail Development Plan to guide future works.

“The new advisory committee will provide a forum for the community and user groups to make recommendations to Council on the development and management of the Mary to Bay Rail Trail and oversee the implementation of the development plan,” Advisory Committee chairperson, Cr David Lewis said.

“The committee will enable Council to tap into the experience and expertise of members to develop the trail.

“It will also help apply for grant funding from other levels of government.”

People interested in joining the committee can lodge an expression of interest through the Council Engagement Hub https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/mary-to-bay-rail-trail

Nominations are open now and close on June 24.

The advisory committee will include two Councillors (Chairman Cr Lewis and Cr Phil Truscott), one representative from the Department of Transport and Main Roads; one representative from Fraser Coast Tourism and Events; and six members to represent key user groups and the community.

“A feasibility study commissioned by Council found that developing the Mary to Bay Rail Trail could inject $3.2 million into the local economy by providing a tourism drawcard and benefit locals who want to explore the great outdoors by walking or riding along the trail,” Cr Lewis said.

In the past two years, members of the Fraser Coast Bicycle Users Group have gained state government and Council funding and been heavily involved in refurbishment works of sections of the trail.

“Council is determined to ensure we have a safe, healthy and active community, as well as a strong, resilient and diversified economy, and the development of this trail would help deliver both those objectives.”

The development of the feasibility study and the development plan was funded by the Queensland Government through the Rail Trail Local Government Grants program.