Community tree planting on Atherton to Herberton shared use trail

Last month about 50 volunteers assisted in planting, watering and mulching approximately 350 rainforest trees, giving a total of around 500 trees now planted along the first stage of the Atherton to Herberton shared use trail, on the Atherton Tablelands in north Queensland.

This and other planned plantings will significantly enhance the trail amenity from Platypus Park Station to Hasties Road by providing much needed shade and act as a refuge for birds and wild life. Benches and picnic tables are also planned for use by trail users in the future.

The planting and beautification of the shared use rail trail is an initiative between Atherton Herberton Historic Rail Inc. (AHHR), Tableland Outdoor Recreation Inc., with volunteer help from ‘Sixties and Over’ cycle group, Tableland Cycle Sports members, TREAT (Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tableland) and townsfolk. Allan from Bluegum Earthworks assisted with preparation of plantings and mulch delivery and Evan Rohde from Ground Creation developed the shared use trail during 2018.

The quality trees were kindly donated by TREAT, a long standing and highly respected revegetation group sharing QPWS nursery facilities at Lake Eacham.

AHHR group have a complement of some 100 members and are actively restoring the former rail-way line between Platypus Park and Herberton Station. Two sectors of the railway line are now operational. A section car runs from Herberton Station to Herberton Historic Village and the section from Platypus Park to Hastie Road is close to completion for use by section cars in the near future.

During 2018 funding was sourced from Qld Sport and Recreation for the development of a shared use trail which runs adjacent to the existing railway line from Platypus Park Station. This trail is gaining popularity as a vehicle free zone for use by cyclists, walkers and runners. The trail also accesses Hasties Swamp National Park which is one of Queensland’s ‘birding hot spots’.

The volunteers would love more Tableland residents to get on board this exciting project which currently offers personal health and community benefits and increasingly tourism benefits once the 22km shared use trail between Atherton and Herberton is completed.

The attached picture confirms the enthusiasm and enjoyment of all who attended the planting.

For enquiries or to join AHHR, please email sec@athrail.com.