Full steam ahead for Nikenbah Historical Railway Village

The Nikenbah Historical Railway Village is one step closer to opening following a proposal by the Fraser Coast Regional Council to negotiate a lease for land with the group.

At its meeting today (Wednesday, June 24), Council agreed to negotiate a Trustee Lease with the group for land on the corner of Chapel Road and Maryborough Hervey Bay Road (opposite the old Nikenbah school).

“Under the motion adopted today, Council has agreed to negotiate a lease and agreed to hold the option open for three years as the group raises the funds to build the village,” Councillor Denis Chapman said.

“Council’s commitment to provide a lease will help the group when applying for grant funding as they will be able to show they have secured land.”

The land is a state government reserve owned by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.

The historical rail village group was formed in 2000 to spearhead the development of a Railway Village and Model Steam Train Complex.

The group is working with a local rail enthusiast who obtained a number of rail buildings and infrastructure when the line between Pialba and Maryborough closed in 1993.

“The historical rail village will provide a destination for locals and a tourist attraction which celebrates the history of railway operations on the Fraser Coast,” Cr Chapman said.