General News
6 August, 2025
All aboard for rail line petition
A LOCAL singer-songwriter has teamed up with the Savannahlander crew and launched a song and music video to accompany a petition calling on the government to urgently fix damaged sections of the popular rail line.
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.
The petition, launched early last month by state members for Hill and Traeger, Shane Knuth and Robbie Katter, now has more than 7,200 signatures.
Mr Katter took to social media recently to promote the petition and plead his case to Queensland’s Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg.
“We’ve been fighting to get this iconic train back on track, but it’s still out of action with four bridges down and no clear plan to fix them,” he said in a Facebook post.
“The Queensland Government was told it’d cost $150 million. Locals know the real fix is closer to $10-20 million. So why the delay?
“The Savannahlander is more than a train, it’s the backbone of Far North Queensland’s tourism economy and part of our heritage. Forsayth and towns across the region can’t afford to lose it.”
Also jumping on board to try and grab the attention of the government’s ears recently were local singer-songwriter Victoria Crosby and Savannahlander operator Wil Kemp.
Ms Crosby, known for being the co-owner of the popular Hungry Pug Cafe in Mareeba, wrote and recorded The Savannahlander, a country ballad that tells the history and importance of the rail line.
The song was met with keen interest from Mr Kemp, who put together a music video showcasing the beauty of the Savannahlander’s journey to go with the song and immediately posted it to Facebook.
“How quickly it got done I thought was pretty amazing. So, I wasn’t really expecting much,” Mr Kemp laughed cautiously, “but when I heard it, I was with my co-driver and partner, and it blew us away.
“The lyrics were great because it told a really good story, and it was catchy, so it was everything I could have hoped for. I thought it was excellent.”
Ms Crosby was grateful to have played a part in trying to help out the iconic rail line.
“Thank you, Wil and team, for letting me get onboard to try and raise some more signatures!” she commented on his Facebook post.
“It was a pleasure to write and record this for the old girl, she deserved her own song.”
Mr Kemp wants the community to get behind the petition so the rail line can be repaired and brought back to full operation.
“I guess the Savannahlander represents a time that just doesn’t exist anymore,” he said.
“It represents a time when community was really important, and supporting local community was important.
“It’s not just taking customers out to spend money in these communities… but it’s also the cultural exchange. The locals meeting these people from not just different parts of Australia, but different parts of the world.
“Whether it’s Mt Surprise, Almaden, Chillagoe, whatever, there’s people on this train coming to see you in your part of the world.
“And I think that makes people feel good and makes them feel proud. So, I want people to get behind the petition for that reason.”
Sign the petition via the following links:
Queensland residents – www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=4266
To view the music video, visit www.facebook.com/wilandmelswildlife
Ms Crosby has also made the song free to download via her website at www.victoriacrosby.com
The Savannahlander – By Victoria Crosby
Verse 1
They carved the rail through scrub and stone, from Cairns out to the west
Where dusty boots and cattle calls were all the land possessed
She ran with freight and mailbags full, with folks who waved her through
A lifeline made of iron rails and skies of blinding blue
Chorus
So don’t let the line grow rusty, don’t let the whistle die
It’s more than just a tourist ride beneath the Savannah sky
It’s the song of little townships, it’s the dust in every shoe
The Savannahlander matters, and she still belongs to you
Verse 2
She tied the towns like thread through cloth, from Chillagoe to the Gulf
Brought city eyes to outback skies and stories to indulge
A pub, a pie, a local tale – the lifeblood that she stirred
With every stop, a town revived, and every laugh was heard
Chorus
Verse 3
In ninety-four they shut her down, said progress had its say
But bush folk ain’t so easy swayed, they fought to make her stay
They polished up the carriages, gave tourism a go
And little towns lit up again – the locals felt the glow
Chorus
Verse 4
But now the track lies broken down, and silence haunts the bend
With washed-out lines and promise thin, we’re nearing journey’s end
The towns still fight, but can’t alone – we need the suits to care
Pull fingers out, restore the route – we’ve paid our bloody share!
Final Chorus
