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Rail change would crush pineapple farmers
14 Nov 2003
Queensland Transport intends to upgrade the Caboolture-to-Landsborough section of the Brisbane-to-Cairns line to improve services. There are two options: duplicate the track in its present corridor or move the line to the east. Duplication would cost up to $305 million and affect a small part of state forest. A relocated dual track route would cost up to $540 million, affect 48 pineapple, avocado and strawberry farms, three rural homes, two businesses and 18 parcels of reserved land - but it would also cut eight minutes off a trip from Brisbane to Landsborough.
Affected Glass House Mountains' growers are not impressed that the relocated line would cut through some of Queensland's best pineapple-producing land. Martin Curtis has worked on his pineapple farm at Glass House Mountains for 33 years and says it would make his farm impossible to work. Avocado and strawberry farmer Peter Young said he would lose a third of his land.
Locals have until December 12 to make submissions on the two options. The State Government will then decide the route.
The Courier-Mail, 14/11/03, page 7.
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