Legislation to enable further development of rail trails in Tasmania has passed the lower house but is facing opposition in the Upper House. When the legislation is passed it will mean that non-operational Tasmanian rail corridors can be repurposed for recreational (non-rail) use.
The legislation is most relevant for the planned 70km extension of the popular North East Tasmania Rail Trail from Scottsdale back towards Launceston. This extension has full local, state and federal government support, and federal government funding. The legislstion will also allow several other planned rail trails including the Burnie to Wynyard in north west Tasmania.
This is urgent because of the North East Tasmania Rail Trail’s federal government funding coming due in December. The Dorset Council need to ‘substantially commence’ work before then to keep the funding.
The Tasmanian government’s support is outlined in this press release. Bicycle Network have been working strongly in support of the legislation and have additional background here.
Naturally some people would like to see the rail service returned but the industries that supported this in past decades are no longer there, which is all the more reason for greater tourism for the economy of the region. They also hope for a tourist rail service but there has never been serious investigation of this, even when the rail line was open. Many existing tourist railways in Tasmania and other states of a much shorter distance already face financial challenges.
The very scenic undulating nature of Tasmania means that it is generally not practical to put a trail beside the rail line.
Importantly rail trails keep a continuous corridor intact should there ever be a need for rail service again in the future.
We urge rail trail supporters to contact upper house members and point out the benefits rail trails have brought to regions in other states.
Suggested MLCs to contact are:
The rail trail is in Tania Rattray’s electorate.
It should be noted that a well constructed rail trail can be used by all members of the community including the very young in prams and those limited to mobility scooters.
Come along to Ciderfest 2024 in Batlow on 18 May 2024, and register your support for the Batlow – Tumut rail trail...
The Château Tanunda Barossa Marathon is to be held on Sunday 26 May 24, starting and finishing in Tanunda. The event at...
We are calling on all rail trail supporters to express their support for the development of a new rail trail in NSW to a...
Some exciting news from Western Australia! Earlier this week, the WA government committed $17.5 million to completing th...
Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) recently received very welcome news and financial support to allow them th...
The e-bike is a great way to get more people and families using the rail trails in Australia! Bicycle Network believes e...
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...
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesCome along to Ciderfest 2024 in Batlow on 18 May 2024, and register your support for the Batlow – Tumut rail trail...
The Château Tanunda Barossa Marathon is to be held on Sunday 26 May 24, starting and finishing in Tanunda. The event at...
We are calling on all rail trail supporters to express their support for the development of a new rail trail in NSW to a...
Some exciting news from Western Australia! Earlier this week, the WA government committed $17.5 million to completing th...
Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) recently received very welcome news and financial support to allow them th...
The e-bike is a great way to get more people and families using the rail trails in Australia! Bicycle Network believes e...
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...