Yeppoon Heritage Railway Precinct

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Consultation has concluded

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has now finalised arrangements for the redevelopment of Yeppoon’s heritage railway precinct.

A subdivision plan for the heritage-listed former railway station site was recently approved by Livingstone Shire Council.

Silverstone Developments, a privately-owned company with extensive experience in developing commercial, retail and residential projects across south-east Queensland, purchased the 2.4 hectare former heritage rail station site in early 2020.

They plan to develop 1.5-hectares of the site into a new mixed-use urban precinct.

The remaining 0.9-hectares was transferred to Livingstone Shire Council, to be set aside for future community uses.

The station, which forms part of the precinct, was officially closed in 2004 due to disuse. Growth Area and Regional Infrastructure Investment Fund (GARIIF) funded works to protect the structural integrity of the heritage-listed rail station building and platform were completed in mid-2020, and landscaping to the rail trail will be complete in mid-2021.

For more information about the proposed re-development of the site, please contact Livingstone Shire Council on (07) 4913 5000 or 1300 790 919 or visit www.livingstone.qld.gov.au


Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has now finalised arrangements for the redevelopment of Yeppoon’s heritage railway precinct.

A subdivision plan for the heritage-listed former railway station site was recently approved by Livingstone Shire Council.

Silverstone Developments, a privately-owned company with extensive experience in developing commercial, retail and residential projects across south-east Queensland, purchased the 2.4 hectare former heritage rail station site in early 2020.

They plan to develop 1.5-hectares of the site into a new mixed-use urban precinct.

The remaining 0.9-hectares was transferred to Livingstone Shire Council, to be set aside for future community uses.

The station, which forms part of the precinct, was officially closed in 2004 due to disuse. Growth Area and Regional Infrastructure Investment Fund (GARIIF) funded works to protect the structural integrity of the heritage-listed rail station building and platform were completed in mid-2020, and landscaping to the rail trail will be complete in mid-2021.

For more information about the proposed re-development of the site, please contact Livingstone Shire Council on (07) 4913 5000 or 1300 790 919 or visit www.livingstone.qld.gov.au


Consultation has concluded

If you would like to ask us a question about the Yeppoon Heritage Railway Precinct, please do so here.

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    Why couldn't the station be moved 90 degrees? Lost opportunity to link the two sides of Arthur street and remove the bottleneck at Braithwaite street and would have made a better development site with flow through traffic.

    TheOnion asked over 3 years ago

    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.


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    Is this the best place to recommend one of the scenarios? I like the concept of leaving the heritage building in it's original location. This is closer to the main town and historically better located. More likely a better location for a market place and community meeting focus point. Better parking too. Also can there be a connecting bikeway to the existing bike rail trail? Thank you

    PaulBuchanan asked about 7 years ago

    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. 


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    Current Progress? Nothing has been done to keep/maintain this site from becoming a hazard and being an eyesore to residents. It would be fantastic if this where to be cleaned up and used to display the history of Yeppoon - highlighting the importance the railway station brought to CQ. The other question is the proposed design of future buildings - new buildings should incorporate some older designs if being placed within close proximity to the Station. The mixture of old and new will only become more of an eyesore if not done correctly so a green space or 'buffer' should be implemented to tone down such distinguishing looks.

    rkadia99 asked over 4 years ago

    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.

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    What are the "For Sale" signs on the proposed precinct about?

    jhawke asked over 5 years ago

    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.

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    It is disappointing that this website has not been updated, yet announcements have been made by Minister Dick (14 Sep 2018) that suggest expressions of interest are being called for development. This is happening despite statements in the Q&A that further information would be made available about the study into the feasibility of moving the railway station building. Nothing has been posted for over 12 months and we are no wiser as to which scenario for the station has been adopted and what the final master plan is for the site. I am also concerned that public input via the community consultation has been almost totally ignored - the original plans have barely changed from what I can see despite the strong desire for green space/gardens in many submissions. It would appear that at best only 16/7% of the site will be green space and if the station is moved to the so-called 'pocket garden' is will be less than 10%. Nowhere on this site can I find any evidence that EDQ or Livingstone Shire has undertaken demand studies to show the need or otherwise for additional residential and commercial development at this site, nor the impacts that such development may have on existing houses and businesses. I note that you keep referring to the 2005 planning scheme - where is the information about how this site is zoned under the new planning scheme. One can only conclude that the whole consultation process (and this website) is a token exercise and there is no ongoing commitment to keeping the public fully informed.

    jgrimes asked over 5 years ago

    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.

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    In replying to a number of the questions raised in Q&A, you cite the current planning scheme and zonings (2005), however given that a new planning scheme is being drafted and this is an area of public land that is effectively a blank canvas, why are so fixed on fitting in with the existing planning scheme instead of creating a new paradigm within the new planning scheme?

    jgrimes asked almost 7 years ago

    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.


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    Are the residential options necessary or even a wise use of public money, given there are currently large developments in place (such as The Pines) and proposed large developments to house people (such as Iwisaki's)? I would need to be more informed, but at face value, I am more supportive of ageing in place opportunities that enable people to remain in Yeppoon when they downsize, than I am of live/work dwellings. Who actually ends up with ownership of these buildings is it the council, state government? Also the ground floor opportunities are in a context where there are still closed business sites for lease in nearby areas such as James Street. Business may pick up, but what is planned to prevent these "opportunities" from becoming a vacant site, of little public benifit? Who owns the sites and pays to the maintain them if they become vacant? Will Money earned from the sites be used to pay for events, maintenance and improvements of the railway precinct? I am more comfortable with the entire area becoming green space as it would be the simplest change to make. It is disappointing that the land zoning by the council removes this as an option. Taking this into account, and being unable to see any public benefit in spending additional money extending Arthur Street or moving the heritage building, my preference would be for Concept 1: Railway Precinct Original Context.

    jhawke asked almost 7 years ago

    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.


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    Will the department seek feedback from other avenues other than community forums? And will the department base designs on feedback received in the past two years?

    RDean asked about 7 years ago

    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.

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    We wish to support the idea of setting aside land in the Yeppoon Railway Precinct so that in the future a rail link could be established between Yeppoon and Rockhampton. We think it is important that alternative means of travel be investigated statewide, not only in Yeppoon, as opposed to continual extension of the road system and believe ultimately rail links will play their part. Giving away an asset is always a mistake. Peter and Margaret Emmery

    P & M Emmery asked about 7 years ago

    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. 


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    I have recently read the article in the local Spectator magazine, issue No.307, pages 1&2 and have to agree full heatedly with their view on what should happen to the Yeppoon railway station and the rail corridor. As per this article we should be looking to build a new rail system and keep the railway station. If we lose this rail corridor then we then lose the light rail option between Rockhampton and Yeppoon forever OR at a much more significant expense in the future.

    Concerned Citizen asked about 7 years ago

    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.