Community & Business
22 June, 2022
Jondaryan Mini Rail: “They locked us out”
Former volunteer for the Jondaryan Mini Rail John Phillips says Toowoomba Regional Council locked the gates months after $34,000 was spent upgrading the mini rail track.
The mini rail is on the site of the Jondaryan Woolshed, which was temporarily closed by the Council (TRC) in 2020.
“When Council shut down the Woolshed site, they closed the gates and we were unable to get access to the mini rail,” Mr Phillips said.
“We fixed it up and spent $34,000 on getting the tracks back up to scratch.”
Volunteers hired contractors and earth movers to redevelop the site and build retaining walls months prior to the Woolshed’s closure.
“A lot of that money was donated by New Hope Group.
“They have done a lot to help us.”
However, two years later, the mini rail tracks are in a state of disrepair.
Oakey man Douglas Doelle said it was disgusting what has happened to the tracks.
“They’ve just let it go to waste,” he said.
“It’s disgusting and has been a total waste of money, after all that work they did.”
Mr Phillips said at this stage he just wants an answer.
“The Mayor said he won’t shut it [Jondaryan Woolshed] down.
“We still don’t know when the site’s going to open and when we can access the rail.
“I’m no longer on the mini rail committee, because it has been messy and political.
Mr Phillips and other volunteers were ousted from the mini rail group.
“It got messy and there were solicitors and money involved.”
“I would just like the Woolshed [Friends of Jondaryan Woolshed] to take it over.
“We just want to know what is happening.
“That way we could form a group and get the rail up and running again.”
Mr Phillips said it’s just been years of uncertainty.
“The rail is a great tourism opportunity for the town.
“We could get schools trips coming to the site.
“One day we had an open day when the track was up and running after our works were done, and we had a turn out of 200 people come down for the opening.”
TRC Environment and Community Services Committee chair Cr James O’Shea said in January
this year the Council appointed an on-site facilities manager at the Jondaryan Woolshed.
“Council is happy to welcome residents who are willing to join the volunteer program at the Jondaryan Woolshed,” he said.
“We have facilitated access for volunteers since January this year.
“Many volunteers are visiting the Woolshed to perform numerous maintenance activities, including mowing, shearing sheep and restoring or maintaining machinery and equipment.
“Council, in conjunction with the Friends of the Jondaryan Woolshed and other key stakeholders, is developing an appropriate operating model that will allow the site to re-open.”
