Light rail plans for Fraser Island dismissed

THE LIGHT rail plan for Fraser Island was scuppered by the state government, leaving the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation to investigate other options.

NO TRACKS: The idea of light rail between Kingfisher Resort and Eurong was pitched by FIDO to eliminate the need for four-wheel drive transport between the two popular destinations. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

THE LIGHT rail plan for Fraser Island was scuppered by the state government, leaving the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation to investigate other transport options.

The idea of light rail between Kingfisher Resort and Eurong was pitched by FIDO to eliminate the need for four-wheel drive transport between the two popular destinations.

President John Sinclair said the track had become degraded after heavy use - more than 70% of tourists to the island travel the track, he said.

"It means the road is now gorged, engraved, carved into the landscape in places more than two metres in depth," he said.

The worry of increased sedimentary deposits into Lake McKenzie from sand displaced by tourists also warranted an investigation into alternative transport options on the island, he said.

But the motion of a feasibility study into light rail was rejected by National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles earlier this month.

FIDO will now revive a 16-year-old unfinished study, commissioned by Queensland Parks and Wildlife, in order to explore transport options and access.

"We have been in favour of light rail and there might better options, but we can't think of any," Mr Sinclair said.

A QPWS spokesperson said FIDO would conduct the study into transport options and access using funds the group had received from a bequest.

"QPWS will continue to maintain tracks on the island," the spokesperson said.