By Mitch Gaynor
The reality of the impact of the new Wave rail project on the hinterland is coming into sharp focus following the release of detailed corridor maps last week.
For Beerwah, the expansion of the train station into a three-track stop is set to affect surrounding properties, one of which may include – to an as-yet-unknown extent – the Beerwah Co-Op.
The Co-Op, of which this newspaper is a member, has operated on the same site since 1936 and services hundreds of local businesses and community members each week.
As we report this week, the Co-Op board met with Wave officials last week, bringing what has long been a fairly abstract idea (given it’s been on the drawing board for decades) into the real world.
The new maps also highlight other major upgrades.
A significant tract of land has been earmarked for a ‘proposed’ train stabling facility south of Kilcoy–Beerwah Road.
The scale of the yards is hard to fully appreciate, but it sits between Steve Irwin Way and the Beerwah Bulldogs home grounds and State High ovals.
With industrial sheds to the right and a stabling yard to the left, the entrance to Beerwah from the south is set to change considerably in the coming years.
Upgrades are flagged for Beerwah Parade and at the Mawhinney Street and Steve Irwin Way intersection.
Both will be essential, not only to manage traffic flows to and from the upgraded station but also to cope with the expected population growth east of the line.
You can see in our story this week (pages 4–5) how the rail alignment turns east near Newells Road towards the new Aura station before continuing to Caloundra.The kids are alright
GC&M News welcomed two Year 9 work-experience students into the newsroom last week: Tyler from Palmview and Azulie from Maleny. Both stepped into the role of working journalists.
Talk about baptism of fire — they were thrown straight into the cut-and-thrust of community news.
Fortunately, our office isn’t quite the Washington Post.
I doubt the Post covers headless scarecrow mysteries, as our intrepid young reporters did (see page 7).
Perhaps that’s why this newspaper continues to thrive: we cover the stories that matter here. Tyler and Azulie did remarkably well with every assignment thrown their way.
I especially enjoyed their first-person pieces (page 6), which brought fresh perspectives and distinct voices. Well done.
Businesses speak up
Congratulations also to the newly elected Glasshouse Country Chamber of Commerce executive. Their shared vision to create a positive, collegiate business environment bodes well for the hinterland.
The debate following the AGM revealed differing views on how best to move the region forward. The challenge now lies in uniting those perspectives and ensuring the whole community is brought along on the journey.
