The Mary Valley Rattler is edging closer to becoming a stand-alone organisation.
Following 12 months of negotiations, Gympie Regional Council officially endorsed the plan at yesterday’s Ordinary Council Meeting.
The decision will still need to be approved by the Mary Valley Rattler Company Board.
Once that happens, Council will transfer all rail assets, excluding locomotives, to the Rattler.
Councillors have also agreed to provide funding of $400,000 pa until June 2026, to enable the Mary Valley Rattler to get on its feet. This agreement is consistent with current funding arrangements.
“The transfer to a stand-alone organisation will enable the Mary Valley Rattler to source external funding without the perception of being a council organisation and allow for full control over the assets,” says Gympie Regional Council Mayor, Glen Hartwig.
“This freedom will provide the Ratter the opportunity to continue to grow as a crucial tourism operator for this region; to operate more autonomously while also benefitting from council funding.
“The agreement is the culmination of nearly 12months of negotiations between council and the Rattler.”
“I truly am looking forward to the Rattler operation fulfilling its potential as a vital part of our tourism economy,” Mayor Hartwig says.
Council will now await the Rattler board’s decision.
