Bundaberg to Gin Gin Rail Trail

The Bundaberg to Gin Gin Rail Trail is a concept that had its origins in 2017 when the Queensland Government released its Queensland Cycling Action Plan, which committed to a four-year investment across Queensland to develop and implement a program to deliver shared-use (walking / cycling / riding) paths on disused State-owned rail corridors in partnership with local governments. This funding provided an opportunity to examine a range of railway corridors that could be converted to rail trails.

In March 2022, Bundaberg Regional Council entered into an agreement with the Queensland Government through the Rail Trail Local Government Grants Program to jointly fund a detailed Business Case into this key opportunity for investment and tourism within the Bundaberg area.

Stage 1 Consultation

In June and July 2023, the rail trail project team talked to neighbours of the proposed rail trail, key stakeholders in the Region, the local community, and other interest groups through the methods listed in the table below. We listened to the issues, needs and opportunities that were raised and these informed the design development for the proposed rail trail.

Table 1: Consultation Activity

Consultation Feedback

Support for the rail trail

Of the more than 2000 responses to the online survey, fifty per cent were from the Wide Bay Burnett or Gladstone Region, while forty-seven per cent were from the rest of Queensland, mainly from South-East Queensland. The survey showed that there is considerable interest in the proposed rail trail from locals and potential visitors.

More than half of respondents who don’t live in the region said that they would visit specifically to use the rail trail. Sixty-six per cent indicated they would stay overnight in the region, seventy-five per cent of which would stay in paid accommodation. These responses show the potential of the rail trail to increase tourism income for the region.

Rail trail uses, features and connections

Most people indicated they would ride a bicycle on the rail, however many also said they would use the rail trail to walk, hike or jog. Horse riding on the rail trail was also popular, especially for local residents.

Figure 1: Survey responses - rail trail uses

The five main features of the rail trail that respondents indicated were most important included:

Figure 2: Survey responses - most important rail trail features

The graphic below shows a selection of community survey respondents’ comments on the rail trail features they want.

Figure 3: Survey responses – selection of community comments regarding rail trail features

Stage 2 Consultation

Draft rail trail design

The project team have developed a draft design for the rail trail to best serve the needs of users and to minimise any potential negative impacts on neighbours. The feedback received during Stage 1 consultation was a key input to the design development. Key characteristics of the proposed rail trail are summarised as follows.

Cross section and surface type The proposed rail trail would mainly be used by bicycle riders enjoying the area’s unique scenery and heritage. Walkers and runners would also be important users, but most would only use shorter sections of the trail in Bundaberg, Gin Gin and Sharon. The rail trail is proposed to provide users with a gravel trail-riding experience outside town, and a surfaced path in town that would be suitable to be enjoyed by a broad variety of users. Outside of town the rail trail is planned to mostly be a gravel path that is 2.5 to 3.0m metres wide. In Gin Gin and Bundaberg a 2.5m wide concrete path would be provided. The existing bitumen path through Sharon is proposed to be extended as a concrete path connecting to Sharon Gorge Nature Park.	Typical cross section of gravel sections of proposed Rail Trail Typical cross section of concrete sections of proposed Rail Trail
Horse riders The community survey showed that local horse riders have a strong interest in using the proposed rail trail. The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail has shown that horses and other rail trail users can safely share rail trails if walkers and bike riders give way to horse riders. It would not be safe for horse riders to cross Splitters Creek Bridge, and in urban areas where there is much more cycling and walking on the trail there would be a higher risk of horses being spooked by other users. So, it is proposed that horses would be allowed to use the trail between McIlwraith Road, Gin Gin and Sharon Gorge Nature Park.	Horse riders using the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
Accessing the rail trail Trailheads at Gin Gin (at the historical village) and Bundaberg (at Lions Park) are proposed as the main access points for the rail trail. The trailheads would have car parking, information signs, public toilets, drinking water and places for rail trail users to get ready, wait for others or have a picnic. Splitters Creek Bridge is a major historical feature of the old rail line and would be an iconic feature of the rail trail. The project plans to rehabilitate and convert Splitters Creek Bridge to include it as part of the proposed rail trail. Small parking areas would be provided on the Sharon and Oakwood sides so that families and visitors could safely park and walk to the bridge.	Splitters Creek Bridge
Learning about the local history and heritage Information signs and rest stops would allow rail trail users to learn about and appreciate the local environment, heritage and community. Direction signs and route maps are proposed to encourage visitors and locals to enjoy the many local attractions and businesses along or close to the rail trail. This would help support the growth of existing business and help to create new opportunities.	Information signage and rest area on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
Privacy and security Some neighbours along the proposed rail trail expressed concern about security and privacy. To help manage these concerns, barbed wire fencing is planned to be provided between the rail trail and adjacent private properties. For houses or businesses directly adjacent to the rail trail, appropriate planting and fencing is planned to minimise privacy impacts and crime risks.	Example of security and privacy fencing and planting along the Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Safe road crossings The proposed rail trail crosses Bundaberg-Gin Gin Road and several other roads. Safety of rail trail users at these crossings is a priority. The crossing design aims to ensure that users can safely cross the roads, and that drivers are aware of and can clearly see the crossing points. The crossing design avoids creating safety issues for rail trail users from obstacles in the path of rail trail users.	Example of design features to ensure safety at road crossings

Delivering the full rail trail between Bundaberg and Gin Gin will provide the greatest benefit to the region. To achieve this, the full rail trail between Bundaberg and Gin Gin would be delivered in stages, with interim stages including the following features:

• Some sections may run along local roads that have limited traffic
• In sections of trail, the existing gravel surface would be used to minimise the need to lay imported gravel

Through incremental upgrades, the ultimate high-quality rail trail would be delivered as funding becomes available. The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail has successfully used this approach to obtain the economic benefits of the full rail trail at an affordable construction cost.

The maps below show the typical cross sections of the proposed rail trail, the proposed early stages of delivery, the full rail trail, as well as the features included at each section. There are also cross-section images showing what the proposed rail trail might look like.

Community feedback

Targeted community feedback on the draft design was sought in early 2024. Submissions are now closed.

Next steps

We are now considering all of the feedback to develop the final designs and Business Case. The Business Case will then be submitted in the first half of 2024 for consideration by Bundaberg Regional Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.