Council wins another award for great outdoor spaces

The Gympie region can again stand proud after having one of its major attractions once again recognised at the Outdoors Queensland Awards.

Gympie’s River to Rail Trail, which was officially opened to the public late last year, was announced as this year’s winner of the Government Achievement category of the Outdoors Queensland Award. This follows last year’s win under the same category for the region’s Mary Valley Rail Trail.

The award recognises the achievement of local or state government departments and/or agencies that have made a positive contribution to the outdoors sector.

Open Space portfolio holder, Cr Dan Stewart, attended the online presentation ceremony on Friday evening to accept the award.

“We are immensely proud of our River to Rail Trail, which opened to the public late last year as a complete link,” said Cr Stewart.

“Since it opened, the trail has been well used by locals as well as visitors from outside the region.

“Not only is that great for getting people out and about and enjoying all that our region has to offer, but it’s also been wonderful for our local economy,” said Cr Stewart.

The River to Rail Trail was developed as a unique recreational experience for walking, running and off-road cycling. 

The trail links the Gympie town centre and youth precinct in Nelson Reserve to Albert Park and the One Mile Sports Complex, via the Victoria Bridge Conservation Area. 

The trail continues on to the Gympie Aquatic Recreation Centre and concludes at the historic Gympie Station, home of the Mary Valley Rattler. 

“I regularly walk and run this trail and I encourage anyone who hasn’t yet visited it to put it on your to-do list; you won’t be disappointed,” said Cr Stewart.

The project was fully funded by the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program.