Locomotive in motion for Nambour

Sunshine Coast Council is set to investigate the feasibility of a sweet new life for the sugar cane locomotive line through Nambour.

Division 10 Councillor Greg Rogerson said Nambour used to be renowned as a thriving economic hub for sugar cane production.

"The new vision for the track is to have a nostalgic looking and tourist attracting tram to once again bring back a point of difference for Nambour," Cr Rogerson said.

"Nambour Alliance is Nambour’s overarching business and community organisation and we are all extremely keen to get behind this shared community vision and turn the aspiration into a reality.

"Sugar cane production in Nambour was a thriving business and provided a trade based economic driver for the whole region.

"The Moreton Central Sugar Mill locomotive used to haul 200 metre long bins of cut cane through the Nambour CBD via Howard Street and Mill Street on a daily basis during the crushing season.

"Only a small section of the old track remains from the ‘old marshalling yards’, along Howard Street, across Currie Street, into Mill Street, terminating at the new northern entrance to the Coles Supermarket Development (formerly the Moreton Mill Site).

"The section that we do have left has important historic significance which is how it came to be State Heritage listed.

"The track represents a strong economic past and if it is rejuvenated it could bring economic prosperity back into Nambour in any number of ways.

"I’m very pleased that council has supported my call to investigate the future potential for the tramway."