Mary2Bay Rail Trail Home

In addition to making professional promotional videos about our Rail Trail, Fraser McDonald has launched into producing a range of quality T-shirts that feature the map from Maryborough to the Bay, and even some with our ditty on the back. Reasonably priced  as well – order here today.

Fraser has produced an excellent short promotional video of our Rail Trail.  This is a great tool to inform everyone of the many opportunities our recreational Rail Trail presents.  Click here to view.

Fraser then went on, over several weeks, to create a 6 minute documentary about the Mary2Bay Rail Trail, which is also public on Youtube. Show me!

Now, as icing on the cake, Fraser has also provided FCBUG with our own YouTube channel, raising the Group’s professional profile.  Be sure to subscribe to the Channel and like it as well.

Another good movie, featuring local talent and nearby Rail Trails has been made by Andrew Demack from Bicycle Queensland. Very inspiring for growing regions, share with your local Councillor. Click! 

As with any good news, share these videos far and wide. Loads of effort has gone into their production to highlight the value of our Rail Trail, as well as the economic benefits for both cities.

29 September 2024     Family Day at Takura Trail Head for first anniversary of Rail Trail

Come and relive the excitement of the 2023 opening of the Takura section of Mary2Bay Rail Trail. Starting at 9.30am, all are invited to  walk, ride or cycle and see the work done by FCBUG volunteers and others.  Coffee van on site, sausage sizzle, gold coin donation. BYO chair.

27 October 2024         Rotary Club of Maryborough – Sunrise will again host their CRoW (Cycle Run Or Walk) event on the Rail  Trail.  It is a fundraiser for ending Polio and will commence at Takura  Trail Head or Churchill Mine Rd Trail Head for a 10km out and back circuit.  Contact Pitman.Glenda@gmail.com to register.

19 February  2024     A Rendezvous occurred at Churchill Mine Rd Trail Head.  Riders from Maryborough and Hervey Bay converged on the Trail from respective towns, for a gathering. Several others drove there. Drinks and cake were provided by Ken, Aaron from FCRC Communications Team covered the event with photos and a drone.  More such events will occur down the Track.  Thanks to Wayne and Paul for co-ordinating it.

6 August 2024

1. FIELD WORK. Ken McDonald and Dennis Johnson.

• Intermittent showers slowed our work again. Work has just started to pick up.
• A Geohex extension and concreting to protect pipes was completed at Bridge 6.
• Geohex and concreting 15m at Bridge 3 past the boardwalk was completed.   It was the first time we have used a Mini Mix concrete truck.  Very successful overall.
• Two pipes were laid at Bridge 2 with concrete headwalls. Three Indigenous construction trainees and their Trainer from Moonaboola Aboriginal Corp (MAC) in Maryborough worked with us. They were fitter than us and very willing. We have requested more assistance for them at Bridge 2 and 4. This arrangement has worked well for all.
• Steve Neilsen slashed the grass edges from Takura to Churchill Mines Rd.   He also trialled a spray system for the edges that worked well.
• Thanks to Ivan B; Martin G; Dennis and Lorna J; Ross C; Phil E; Kevin A; MaxV; Mike and Jen A. Bob W; Dave McL.

2. WORK PLAN – Short term. Ken and Dennis.

• Complete the Geohex and concrete at Bridge 2 soon and Bridge 4 in August or Sept.
• Some more drainage and earthworks will be ongoing using our contractor Steve Neilsen.
• Kevin Anderson and Ken McD walked about 30% of the RT from Piggford Lane towards Nikenbah. A proposal has been costed to sent to the FCRC to develop an Interim Trail Head at Piggford Lane and clear this 1km section.
• New  BUG  members  Mike  Bollard  and  Shontelle Adams  of Aldershot  contacted  us  about options for crossing Saltwater Creek. Ken McD and Bob Webley have met with them at Aldershot a couple of times to explore ideas. Mike & Shontelle are keen project supporters.

3. ADVISORY COMMITTEE   Max Voigt.

• The AC’s working group involved in the development of an interim solution (based on FCBUG recommendation) for Stockyard Creek and Black Swamp Creek is making positive progress. External approvals have been given. An agreement between FCRC and FCBUG is being prepared and final costs. Funding for this project has been committed from DTMR.
• The FCRC & DTMR are working with Colton Mining to develop a “northern option” for a deviation around the mining lease. This is FCBUG’s preferred option consistent with the Halliburton Report. Ken McD and Dave McL had discussions at Bridge 2 with two BNTAC (Butchulla) reps plus DTMR reps lead by Craig England and FCRC reps. to explain our request for a northern diversion track around the mining lease. We walked part of the trail.
• The next AC meeting is scheduled for 29 August 2024

4. EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION. Dave McLeod.

• Potential Duke of Edinburgh ride on RT from Piggford Lane to CMR for St Mary’s College Thursday 26th to Friday 27th September
• Combined Fraser Coast Rotary Clubs planning to run another CRoW (Cycle, Run or Walk) on the Takura to CMR section Sunday October 27
• A low key post about prep work on Bridge 2 has garnered 19.8K views so far, 355 “likes”, 42 comments and 4 shares. With almost 60 new M2BRT Discussion Group members, presumably majority generated from that post. Now at 4,198 members.

5. MONEY. Mike Allsopp and Ken McD.

We are still in a good position with Funds.  FCRC have given us an extension beyond the end of June to the end of Sept to spend the final $3,000. Overall there is close to $60,000 of Grant money left. Much of this is from the Gambling Fund.

6. OTHER

Rail  trail  riders  from  Tasmania,   South Australia  and  NSW  have  passed  by  while  BUG volunteers work out there.  They all thanked us for the work we are doing.

If you would like to discuss and issues, contact one of the people below.

Ken McDonald 0419 664 258                                        Max Voigt 0400 490 566                               Dave McLeod 0439 532 737