Mayor Adam Belot and Ms Brittany Lauga Member for Keppel Announce New Extension Project of Yeppoon’s Pineapple Rail Trail

Ms Brittany Lauga, Member for Keppel and Mayor Adam Belot are beyond excited to announce the brand-new 1.2km extension of the Pineapple Rail Trail from the current end of the trail near Yeppoon Road to Jordy drive, Hidden Valley (Yeppoon).

 

Yeppoon’s beloved Pineapple Rail Trail currently stretches 4.5kms from Yeppoon’s centre to the Yeppoon Golf Course and has been a popular attraction for locals since 2014.

 

It is also a pleasure to announce that construction will be underway soon thanks to the Mile’s Government who have provided Livingstone Shire Council a Grant of $322,000, this funding is to complete the design cost of the extension.

 

Quotes attributable to Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga:

“I know locals love using the Rail Trail for cycling and walking, so extending it into the next stage is an exciting step forward.”

 

“The Pineapple Rail Trail is one of the gems of the Capricorn Coast. I’m so pleased the Miles Government is backing in the next stage of the Rail Trail with this investment.”.

 

Quotes attributable to Adam Belot, Mayor, Livingstone Shire Council:
“Mayor Adam Belot said this extension would be a fantastic addition to the existing Pineapple Rail Trail, allowing residents and visitors to not only enjoy the scenic beauty of the Shire, but provide more opportunities to get outdoors and engage in active recreation.”
“We have a very active community in Livingstone and Council is thrilled to deliver this project fully funded by the Queensland Government,” Mayor Belot said.

“Council would like to sincerely thank the Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga for her ongoing support towards this project, as well as the Queensland Government, for recognising the need for important community projects like this.”

"What we can expect from this project is 1,200 metres of a brand new 3-metre-wide separated cycle track, and a 2-metre-wide pedestrian path. The project has proposed a very exciting new underway under Yeppoon Road, which will connect the new extension to the existing trail.

This underway will provide Rail Trail users with a safe and easy way to continue their journey. Working closely with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), will be crucial to the success of this plan as well as keeping our roads safe during the construction. “I’m pleased to achieve this result after fighting for this extension to the Rail Trail,” Ms Lauga said.

 

In relation to the extension, the Mile’s Government and Livingstone Shire Council are also investing in an additional project that includes brand new cycle racks, e-scooter parking and signage at 8 locations around Yeppoon. These locations include:
• Appleton Park
• Yeppoon Lagoon

• Yeppoon Foreshore
• Beaman Park, James Street
• Emu Park, Hill Street
• Lions Park, Lammermoor
• Cedar Park
• Yeppoon Central

 

"Both, the local and state governments have come together to split the total cost of $38,360 in half by each contributing $19,180.

 

The expansion of these facilities will encourage cycling within our region and deal with the growing issue of e-scooters obstructing pedestrian pathways.

 

It is also very important in ensuring our local area has plenty of signage regarding the town’s history, attractions, directional information and general. Construction is said to begin in January/February 2025 and approach completion by June 2025.

 

With the rapid growth we are seeing in our community; it is important to invest in projects that improve connectivity and quality of life for locals," Ms Lauga said.