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KAP Launches Petition to Save the Savannahlander Rail Journey
June 26, 2025
State Members for Hill Shane Knuth and Traeger Robbie Katter, have today launched a petition calling on the Queensland Government to urgently approve funding for critical repairs on the iconic Savannahlander rail line, which is currently under threat due to damage to key infrastructure.
The Savannahlander, which runs from Cairns to Forsayth, is one of Australia’s most treasured historical rail journeys, drawing thousands of visitors each year and injecting vital tourism dollars into Far North Queensland communities.
However, damage to bridges between Einasleigh and Forsayth, and Kuranda and Mareeba, has meant the train can no longer operate the full journey.
Knuth warned that without swift state government intervention, the service and the jobs and tourism it supports could be lost entirely.
“The Savannahlander is more than a train, it’s part of our identity in the Far North. It supports local businesses, puts money in the tills of small towns, and showcases the unique beauty of our region to the world,” Mr Knuth said.
“It is unacceptable that such an iconic tourism experience is being left to decay because of state government inaction. This is basic infrastructure that must be funded, and fast.
I know how QR works, the cost of repairs and ongoing maintenance will be ballooned out so the excuse can be used that it’s too costly to fix.
However, having worked on rail lines throughout the state for 20 years, I know what is needed to repair the line. This isn’t a train carting millions of tons of ore per year and the cost to fix it is nothing near the numbers I have heard being proposed.'
Mr Katter said the petition gave regional Queenslanders a voice and a platform to demand real action from Brisbane.
“We’ve heard excuse after excuse, but the time for talk is over.
“Don’t let the government fool you into thinking this is a half-billion-dollar fix – it’s a light rail system, not a heavy ore line.
If the government can throw billions at infrastructure in Brisbane, including the Olympics, they can find the small amount of funds needed to fix this light tourist rail that means so much to the north.”
The petition calls on the Queensland Government to urgently approve funding to restore the Savannahlander to full operation, ensuring it can continue to deliver jobs, regional pride and economic stimulus for years to come.
The petition is now live online, with the KAP urging all Queenslanders to sign and show their support.
To sign the petition, visit: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=4266
Photo: Supplied by The Savannahlander