The Dorset Council and North East Recreation Trails Inc secured $1.5m federal government funding several years ago to extend the North East Tasmania Rail Trail, centred on Scottsdale, back towards Launceston.
However, heritage rail supporters then floated a plan to restore the line and run trains again.
The Tasmanian Government considered both proposals and came up with a compromise solution of the rail trail from Scottsdale to Lilydale and allow Launceston & North East Railway to pursue a plan for a train service from Lilydale towards Launceston.
LNER and some landholders in the area are opposed to this plan and the Tasmanian Legislative Council (Upper House) has formed a committee to hold an inquiry into the corridor.
Rail Trails Australia (RTA) made a submission to the inquiry last year and addressed the committee hearings in April.
Learning the Committee was visiting the Yarra Valley Railway, east of Melbourne, RTA organised for the committee to also visit the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail and meet staff and a councillor from the Shire of Yarra Ranges, who manage one of Australia’s most successful rail trails.
Long serving Councillor Jim Child provided background on the development of the rail trail. Council staff spoke about the benefits and issues in associated with the rail trail. They also spoke about the Yarra Valley Trail which is starting construction and will connect with the Yarra Valley Railway at Yarra Glen, providing greater benefit to both attractions and the whole region.
It is hoped the committee gained more understanding of heritage railways and rail trails from their visit. It is understood the committee is this week visiting the Otago Central Rail Trail in New Zealand and presumably the Taeri Gorge Railway which provides a link from Dunedin to the start of the rail trail.
The deadline for the committee to make its findings is later this year. The inquiry website is Here.
RTA supports the government plan which gives the Launceston & NE Railway the western section. This section is quite scenic and connects with the rail trail at Lilydale providing a greater benefit for both. It also provides the potential to connect with its namesake Launceston , and link Launceston to the rail trail.
RTA notes the effort required to open and maintain heritage railways around Australia, and their lengths are generally considerably shorter that what this rail group is proposing.
RTA hopes that work will be allowed to commence on the rail trail soon as there is a definite risk that the rail trail funding to the region will be lost along with the great benefits the rail trail will bring to the communities along the route.
This week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...
Riders and walkers will soon have another escape from the very popular Warburton Rail Trail courtesy of a program to cle...
On the 24 February the Atherton district and beyond saw members of the running and outdoor fraternity enjoying an inform...
Sunday, March 3 saw over 100 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoy a bike ride under a clear blue sky and perfect...
After detailed historical and site investigations, Heritage Victoria have placed the former Rushworth Railway Station on...
It’s only been open for a year, but the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has exceeded expectations. Dra...
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesThis week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...
Riders and walkers will soon have another escape from the very popular Warburton Rail Trail courtesy of a program to cle...
On the 24 February the Atherton district and beyond saw members of the running and outdoor fraternity enjoying an inform...
Sunday, March 3 saw over 100 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoy a bike ride under a clear blue sky and perfect...
After detailed historical and site investigations, Heritage Victoria have placed the former Rushworth Railway Station on...
It’s only been open for a year, but the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has exceeded expectations. Dra...