Bicycle Queensland welcomes $3.5 million boost for regional rail trails

Bicycle Queensland has welcomed the Queensland Government’s commitment of $3.5 million to upgrade four regional rail trails, saying the investment will help grow bike tourism, improve community access, and support regional economies.

“Bicycle Queensland is delighted with the State Government’s announcement of $3.5 million in funding for regional rail trails,” said BQ CEO Professor Matt Burke. “The ‘cycling economy’ is transforming many regions in Australia and it’s great to see Queensland building up and planning more rail trail improvements.”

The new funding will deliver upgrades across four key projects:

• Pioneer Valley Rail Trail will receive $75,000.
• Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail will receive $1.6 million.
• Bundaberg to Gin Gin Rail Trail will receive $147,000.
• Brisbane Valley Rail Trail will receive $1.6 million.

These investments are designed to improve safety, accessibility, and the rider experience, while also strengthening Queensland’s regional tourism offering as part of the Destination 2045 strategy.

Discover some of Queensland’s great rail trails via our Where to Ride page.

Bicycle Queensland believes the best rail trail is an open rail trail, and recently partnered with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to deliver a Rail Trail Toolkit. The toolkit provides practical guidance for community groups looking to start or expand rail trail projects, helping to move a feasibility project to something that can be planned, built and promoted. BQ believes that the toolkit can assist more parts of Queensland being able to enjoy the social, environmental, and economic benefits that rail trails deliver. The recent announcement of funding for regional rail trails is a great sign that there is state government support for the same goals.

With thousands of people riding Queensland’s rail trails each year, from day trippers to multi-day tourists, the latest funding announcement is an important step in ensuring Queensland has national and even globally significant riding infrastructure that not only drives a tourism economy, but provides social and health benefits for local communities as well.