Caboolture Wamuran Rail Trail commended by State Government

Published 05 July 2021

Cab Wam Rail Trail commendation

Moreton Bay Regional Council has been recognised for pushing the boundaries of urban design at one of Queensland’s most prestigious awards.

The Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail project received commendation for the highest quality at the Minister’s Award for Urban Design, in a competition that featured the likes of Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville.

Mayor Peter Flannery said Council was thinking outside the box to deliver community and recreational infrastructure for locals to enjoy.

“The Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail is a great example of Council thinking of innovative ways to revitalise and repurpose old infrastructure into a unique drawcard that everyone can use,” he said.

“The old railway line follows the D’Aguilar Highway all the way out to Kilcoy and was mostly used to connect regional South East Queensland farmers to Caboolture and Brisbane.

“It’s mostly laid dormant since 1964 until Council turned a 10.5km section of it into a new walking, cycling and scooter track that allows visitors to explore our history and natural beauty.

“Since the project was completed in December 2020 it has seen plenty of use from people of all ages using it to discover what our region has to offer while keeping fit and healthy.

“To be acknowledged by the Minister’s Award for Urban Design is a great achievement by Council and the staff who worked on this over a 10-year period to bring it to life.

“Thanks to councillor Adam Hain who was a major driver to make this a reality for local families and turn it into a major attraction for visitors outside the region.”

Councillor Adam Hain said trail users can start the day with breakfast in Woodford, D’aguilar or Wamuran and finish with lunch in Caboolture.

“The trail has already taken out the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects’ 2020 QLD Landscape Architecture Award for Infrastructure, and it’s been really well utilised by locals and visitors from outside our region,” he said.

“So if you’re one of those people who haven’t yet checked out the Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail, come say hello and see what you’re missing out on!”

Councillor Tony Latter said he hoped to see the trail extended west out to Woodford to help activate the D’Aguilar Highway corridor as a tourism destination.

“The Caboolture to Wamuran section of the rail trail has been hugely successful in a short space of time so it’d be great to see it extended further west to Woodford,” he said.

“It’s acts as a great active transport connector for local families and it attracts cyclists from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to spend their money in our cafes and stores.

“It’s complicated and expensive work, but I’d love to continue this path from Wamuran out to Woodford if we can.”

Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail was one of seven projects to be recognised out of 24 entrants from across Queensland.

The Minister's Award for Urban Design overall jury said: "This project exemplifies patience (good things come to those that wait), imagination and making a commitment that went beyond what was strictly necessary, builds a really useable local asset which portrays a new narrative for this community – both in terms of its identity and image."

Visit the Queensland Government website for more information on the award: Minister's Award for Urban Design | Department of Energy and Public Works (epw.qld.gov.au)