Nambour celebrates tram design and Terminus opening

NewsCommunity

25 May

Written By Sunshine Valley Gazette

Nambour’s tram design and terminus opening were the result of nine years hard slog by a number of exceptional people, according to Tramway Company Chairman Greg Rogerson.

Speaking at the May 14 opening Mr Rogerson paid tribute to a number of people who had helped with the project over the years.

And he was already looking ahead to stage 2 of the project.

“The construction and official opening of this magnificent terminus will help bring us round the discussion table with both State and Federal Governments and indeed the Sunshine Coast Regional Council in an endeavour to help fund Stage 2 of the overall project to get rail lines into the Nambour Showgrounds.

He described his board as “a bunch of exceptionally good people, hell bent on giving Nambour the chance to have a point of difference, something that will stand this town out from all others and give Nambour the chance to prosper and it’s residents to feel justifiably proud!”

Mr Rogerson paid special tribute to Roy and Nola Thompson, Rob Forrester and the late Michael Foley for their generosity, passion and dedication to Nambour.

“Roy and Nola Thompson’s actions are legendary,” he said.

“I first met Roy Thompson a couple of years back, in fact 2 days before an Ordinary Council Meeting in Caloundra, where the TNT Co were having to face off an Officer Recommendation Report to ‘scrap’ the then 7½ year tram project due to a cost ‘blow out’ and significant changes.

“After a 15-minute detailed personal discussion, Roy and Nola Thompson had pledged a donation of $1 million to our project and the rest is history.

He acknowledged TNT Co Board members Peter Clark, Rod Tustall, Kristen Beckhaus, Steve Brazier, Paul Moriarity, Rod Wilkins, Rhonda Billet, Tristan Lindner, Ron King and Wayne Knetter.

Mr Rogerson made special mention of Peter Clark who voluntarily built all the timber componentry and project managed the terminus construction.

Mr Rogerson said at the outset of the project, the Nambour Community had to raise $600,000 “which was our educated guess to be the cost of a tram”.

“Tramfest was born and about 50 volunteers would assemble once a month to put together and then pull apart the best music and food fest imaginable right here in Howard Street.”

Mr Rogerson said the Terminus wouldn’t have been possible without Mark Higgins and Elissa Wake – Shake It Up Music, Clayton’s Towing – Bill and Mike Clayton, DW Sound – Heath Moore, The Sunshine Coast Antique Car Club Members, The Freemasons of Nambour and District, Robert Paulger – Paulgers Engineering, Maudsley’s Excauvations – Nial and Linda Maudsley, my neighbourhood Image Flat fraternity, The Oaks Family Cane Farm – headed by Gordon and Christine Oaks and local electrical firm Marrs Electrical - Alan Marr.

Mr Rogerson said The building of the terminus wouldn’t have been possible if not for the $2 million dollars plus injection of Sunshine Coast Council funds toward the Nambour Tram Project.

The trackwork leading into the terminus was constructed by Shadforth Civil and the project managed and engineered by Covey Associates.

“To Ray Shadforth and your Shadforth Civil Team and Kevin Covey, Matt Taylor and Stephen Braiden and your Covey Associates Team we thank you immensely for the manner and standard of work performed.

“This terminus was constructed by Leon and Deb Bishop from Southern Cross Sheds under the watchful eye of Nambour Architect Trevor Smith.

“I would like to highlight that 95% of the architectural work was done by Trevor on a pro bono basis.”

Mr Rogerson said it had been a pleasure to work with Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien. “Without the support of the Federal Government in supplying TNT Co with a $500,000 Stronger Regions Grant we wouldn’t have found the impetus to get to ‘first base’ with this project.

“From day one, Ted O’Brien has believed in Nambour and believed in TNT Co’s vision of activating the heritage listed cane train lines for the ongoing viability and prosperity of this great town.”

Mr Rogerson said tram designer Russell Anderson’s input was exactly the impetus the project needed at the right time. “He’s an exceptional artist, tradesperson and an exceptional human being,” Mr Rogerson said.

“Russell has demonstrated buy-in to Nambour’s tram project on an extraordinary level. His collaboration with engineering firm Covey Associates has been an absolute blessing.”