Final works on a $4.8 million facelift of Far North Queensland’s Freshwater station have been completed, delivering improvements to the station’s coach and bus interchange, car parking and platform facilities, as well as a new transit shelter.
Twenty customer car parking spaces have also been relocated to Meller Street and two new accessible car spaces and a new drop-off zone with a waiting shelter are now situated at the station entrance.
Freshwater station is a pivotal part of the Kuranda Scenic Railway (KSR) service, accommodating around 60 per cent of passenger boardings.
“Last financial year, the KSR attracted more than 400,000 visitors keen to explore the stunning Barron Gorge and world heritage listed rainforest,” Labor MP for Barron River Craig Crawford said.
“We know the KSR plays an important part in the Far North’s tourism industry, attracting visitors from right around the world including Japan, Korea, China, the European nations and the Americas, which is why we’re committed to investing in this tourism icon.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the most recent works completed also involved the extension of the station’s platform.
“This builds upon the most recently completed work, which involved extending the length of the station platform to cater for a full service 15-carriage KSR train to ensure boarding efficiencies, as well as tactile markers which have been installed along the full length of the platform to enhance accessibility,” Bailey said.
The first stage of the project, completed in 2017, saw a refurbishment of Red Lynch’s Cottage. The cottage was refurbished and repainted, with repairs to the roof, floor and cladding to preserve the building.