By Lucy Waldron
The Southern Downs Steam Railway Association has been affected by the fires that tore through the Stanthorpe to Wallangarra railway line and is urging for faster repairs.
Four timber railway bridges and numerous railway sleepers along the Stanthorpe to Wallangarra route have been extensively damaged, significantly impacting the region’s heritage rail tourism.
The popular ’Downs Explorer’ heritage rail experience by the Southern Downs Steam Railway, has been halted indefinitely due to this unfortunate incident.
Southern Downs Steam Railway chairman Kelvin Hutchinson encouraged the community to voice their concerns and support for the timely repair of the bridges.
“Expressing the importance of tourism and the viability of the Southern Downs Steam Railway to the region is crucial in influencing the decision-making process,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“The ’Downs Explorer’ is one of the region’s premier tourist attractions, contributing substantially to the local economy.
“It is imperative that we come together as a community to ensure the swift repair of these bridges and the resumption of the Warwick, via Stanthorpe to Wallangarra rail tour,” he said.
Queensland Rail engineers conducted a comprehensive assessment of the bridge damage and submitted their findings along with recommendations. The report is now in the hands of State Minister Bart Mellish, awaiting approval and allocation of funds from the treasury to initiate repair work.
However, concerns have been raised about potential delays in the repair process.
With a new minister in the role, upcoming elections, and competing spending priorities, the railway infrastructure repair is not currently deemed a top priority.
Queensland Rail is also contending with other pressing repair tasks, contributing to the potential delay in addressing this critical issue.
The Southern Downs Regional Council, Southern Downs Steam Railway Association, federal and state representatives, along with Queensland Rail, are actively advocating for the swift repair of the damaged infrastructure.
The timely repair of these bridges is crucial not only for the Southern Downs Steam Railway but also for the entire region’s tourism industry.
The Federal Government, through its Emergency Compensation Fund, is expected to cover the costs of the necessary repairs, eliminating the financial burden on the state government. However, the bureaucratic process inherent in government procedures can slow down the implementation of urgent measures.
To expedite the repair process, Kelvin Hutchinson encourages citizens to make their voices heard in the halls of the state parliament by reaching out to Minister Bart Mellish and urging local councillors to represent the community’s interests on this critical issue.
“The repair of these bridges is not just about restoring a rail line; it’s about safeguarding the economic prosperity of our region,” he said.
“Let’s join forces to ensure the swift repair of these vital rail links and the resumption of the Southern Downs Steam Railway’s most popular rail tour.”
