Mary Valley Rattler’s 2024 financial report reveals $2.1m wage bill

The cost of staffing the Mary Valley Rattler has gone from $1.25 million to more than $2 million.

The Mary Valley Rattler’s split from the Gympie Council came at a cost, with the heritage trainer’s chairman Ian McNicol saying this was behind a staff wage bill which topped $2 million in the 2023-24 financial year.

The Mary Valley Rattler’s split from the Gympie Regional Council came at a cost, with the heritage train’s leaders saying this was behind a staff wage bill which topped $2 million in the 2023-24 financial year.

The Rattler’s latest financial documents lodge with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission reveal the tourism venture paid $2.1 million in staff wages and entitlements across the financial year, more than $600,000 more than what it paid in 2022-23.

Rattler chairman Ian McNicol said the split and flood recovery drove staff costs up.

“The move to become an autonomous organisation required additional resources, which have not been repeated in the 2024-25 financial year,” Mr McNicol said.

“The Rattler spent over $1M in restoration work following the floods.

The Mary Valley Rattler’s split from the Gympie council came at a cost, with the heritage train’s leaders saying this was behind a staff wage bill which topped $2 million in the 2023-24 financial year.

“In the current financial year, despite the inflationary pressures, salary costs have been managed successfully and balanced by a significant increase in our revenue position.”

The Rattler and the council parted ways in 2023.

As part of the deal, the council paid the Rattler $1.2 million and waived the remaining balance of a $1.1 million loan.

The $2.1 million wage and expenses bill follows plans floated in 2020 to bring those costs under the $1 million mark.

The report shows sales from train tickets brought in $1.93 million for the year, up from $1.5 million in 2022-2023.

There was a dip in revenue from cafe and retail sales from $671,814 in 2022-23 to $459,365 in the 2023-24 financial year.

A total of $507,094 was paid to the Rattler’s key personnel for the year, including the general manager, business manager, deputy general manager, and information manager.

This was up from $466,050 paid in 2022-23.

The Rattler’s latest financial report shows sales from train tickets brought in $1.93 million for the year, up from $1.5 million in 2022-2023.

A drop in volunteer numbers listed in the 2024 report was caused by a change in how they were recorded, Mr McNicol said.

“Previously, the annual report recorded ALL volunteers on the books, not just the active volunteers,” Mr McNicol said.

“That was changed in 2023-24, when we audited the volunteer list and only recorded active volunteers.

“That number of active volunteers has actually grown in the past year.

“Recruitment and training of volunteers remains strong, with 106 active volunteers on the books and applications to volunteer at the Rattler have increased consistently since the Rattler was awarded the Gold Award for Volunteering at the Queensland Tourism Awards last November.”

Mr McNicol said the Rattler’s performance “has been strong despite the indifferent weather over the holiday season. Our special events and new services have been received well, and the Rattler is making an operating profit”.

“In 2023-24, 28,136 guests travelled on board the Rattler services with 87.5 per cent from outside the Gympie region,” he said.

“This brings income to businesses across Gympie, and is even more critical following the opening of the bypass that takes cars past Gympie.

“Based on the state government’s original feasibility study, the Mary Valley Rattler in its fifth year of service has exceeded the 10-year visitor growth scenario and despite the challenges of Covid, floods and cost of living crises we are well placed to continue our strong performance and deliver economic and social value to the Gympie community.”

Originally published as Mary Valley Rattler’s 2024 financial report reveals $2.1m wage bill