Yeppoon Heritage Railway Precinct

During the community engagement undertaken in February 2017, one of the concept designs depicted relocating the heritage building and platform from their original context and setting, at the edges of Arthur Street, to the west of the development area. During this consultation period it was detailed by the local Yeppoon community that there was not overwhelming support for relocating the heritage building in this manner.

In addition, the Department of Environment and Science (DES) who manage historical protection assessed the site and determined the founding earth-rammed plaftform must be protected as it is a key historical element. As such, it nor the building, can be moved or disturbed so as to protect its integrity for future generations.

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has committed to retaining and rejuvenating the railway station on the site, either in its current location or in a new location at the western end of the site. The process of confirming if the station can/cannot be relocated to an alternative location on site is underway and expected to be determined by mid-2017. In either case, the railway station will be rejuvenated in a manner that will celebrate its history and allow community access to the building. EDQ also intends to provide a connection to the existing rail trail via a shared pathway connection along the James Street frontage of the site. 

Economic Development Queensland is aiming to appoint a development partner for Station Quarter in the coming months. The submissions are being evaluated to ensure proposed outcomes align with the objectives for the site and community expectations.

Further supporting redevelopment of the site, the Palaszczuk Government announced in August 2019, nearly $1 million under the Growth Area and Regional Infrastructure Investment Fund (GARIIF) for essential works to the heritage-listed station building and an extension of the shared-path in front of the site on James Street.

The building renovation has been developed in collaboration with Livingstone Shire Council and a contractor is expected to be appointed by the end of the year. The shared-path works will support recreational cyclist and pedestrians alike, and is scheduled to commence early next year, following completion of the building works.

Any new buildings proposed will be submitted and assessed by Livingstone Shire Council.

EDQ has a local landscape maintenance contractor performing regular services such as mowing, if there are any areas of concern please let us know.

EDQ released an invitation for Expressions of Interest from developers, purchasers and tenants, interested in being involved in the renewal of Yeppoon’s heritage rail precinct, on Friday 14 September 2018.

Interested parties can access the expression of interest documentation and register for industry briefings on the QTender (www.hpw.qld.gov.au/qtenders/) website, reference number DSDMIP-EDQ-0962-18.

EDQ has released an invitation for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from developers, purchasers and tenants, interested in being involved in the renewal of Yeppoon’s heritage rail precinct.

As an outcome of the community consultation and subsequent advice from a heritage specialist, the railway building will not be relocated; it will be restored to maintain its heritage value and be repurposed. The concept plans used during the community consultation were indicative only.

The delivery of public realm, alongside refurbishment of the heritage listed building and extension of the Capricorn Coast Pineapple Rail Trail are criteria that the potential development partners will be assessed against.

The EOI and Request for Proposal's process will identify the demand for different land uses on the site and a master plan will be prepared, after suitable development partners have been identified. Feedback from the community consultation will also be considered in the master plan design process. EDQ anticipates that a master plan for the site will be released by late 2019.

Any applications for development, including an application for a master plan and individual development applications, will need to be in accordance with provisions and criteria of Livingstone Shire Council’s Livingstone Planning Scheme 2018. All applications will be publicly accessible in accordance with Council’s policies.

Thank you for your comments. We are reviewing the concept in light of the new planning scheme and anticipate seeking further community and market feedback from mid-2018.

Thank you for your comments. Since becoming the landowner in August 2017, and following the State Government Election in late 2017, we have been working carrying out further site investigations and considering the community’s feedback. We anticipate seeking further community and market feedback from mid-2018 which will provide greater insight into some of the questions you have raised. To be kept up to date as the project progresses, please make sure you are registered on this site.

EDQ encourages people to use the Q&A section of this site to ask specific questions and provide feedback. The first consultation on this particular site by EDQ was in October 2016 and any feedback we have received will be from the last 6 months.

The former rail corridor between Yeppoon and Rockhampton is being preserved through the implementation of the Capricorn Coast pineapple rail trail. EDQ intends to deliver on the intent of the Livingstone Shire Council Planning Scheme for the former Yeppoon railyard site, which provides for a mix of uses including residential, retail and commercial. EDQ has also committed to rejuvenating the heritage listed railway station in a manner that will celebrate its history and allow community access to the building. 

Thank you for your question. Please see the response in the Q & A section  under the topic of 'lightrail', asked by Swatson on 14 March 2017.