The rail trails are coming, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison got to hear all about it during a recent tour of central Queensland. Local Rail Trails Australia representative Desley O’Grady met the PM and was able to explain how rail trails have developed around the country, how they have benefitted their regions and RTA’s role in that.
Along with the other rail trails in the central Queensland region, Desley is particularly passionate about the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail and is the patron of the BBIRT as part of her role as a Gladstone councilor.
With Sydney’s 5.8km GreenWay being close to the prime minister’s electorate, the Member for Cook is certainly aware of rail trails and supportive of their development.
The federal government has provided significant funding for rail trail construction in most states, in collaboration with state and local governments, with recent examples including funding for the Tweed Valley section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail in NSW and for upgrades to the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail in Qld.
More certainly wouldn’t hurt in the post-COVID era and Desley emphasised that the support should continue. RTA will follow up shortly to reinforce the message.
She handed over our current magazine to the PM.