Mareeba Railway Station on track for upgrade
Mareeba Railway Station
Mareeba Railway Station was the backdrop as the Member for Cook David Kempton, joined Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin, along with Savannahlander Operations Manager Mike Lee and Assistant Operations Manager Sandra Ford, to officially launch a community fundraising campaign.
Member for Cook David Kempton, said as a result of the community response to the recent announcement of funding to restore the Copperfield Bridge, the Mareeba Shire Council, along with Lions, Rotary, and other community groups have united in a community fundraising project to breathe new life into the historic Mareeba Railway Station.
Mr Kempton said that this is a small railway with a big heart that offers a new and exciting tourist opportunity to Mareeba and beyond to the Gulf.
“It is critical to the future of the Savannahlander that it be supported by infrastructure,” Mr Kempton said.
“We should commend Wil for stepping up and raising public awareness of the value of this line, not only to tourists and locals, but to all the small communities along the way.”
Train driver and social media personality Wil Kemp said he was still “giddy” from the earlier announcement.
Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin expressed her gratitude to the State Government and urged the community to get behind the project.
“As Mayor of Mareeba Shire Council, I’m very excited about this project, and I’d particularly like to thank the Queensland State Government, David, and Cairns Rail for reinvigorating this historic railway station,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
“This initiative forms an important part of our CBD revitalisation project, as Council works on construction-ready plans to secure future funding and grants to transform the area.
“We’re truly enthused because this project will not only preserve a piece of our heritage but also bring visitors and tourists into our town. We are very grateful for the support given to the Savannahlander to make this possible.”
“It’s just fantastic news. I’m here both professionally and personally to help out in any way I can. To begin with – and I’ll need to check with the boss on this – but I’d love to see the train here at the station on a Sunday, with the community invited to come aboard, have a look around, ask questions, and see for themselves how important this project is,” Mr Kemp said.
“It’s not just significant for Mareeba, but for the entire Gulf Savannah region as we look further west.”
The community fundraising campaign will seek contributions from local residents, businesses, and visitors to help transform the Mareeba Railway Station into a vibrant and welcoming hub that celebrates the town’s history while boosting tourism across the region.
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