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Register for news updatesBuilding a rail trail in North East Tasmania has moved an important step forward with the State Government handing over control of the public land corridor to Dorset Council.
Once built, the North East Tasmania Rail Trail will extend about 40km from the town of Lilydale to the largest North East Tasmanian town of Scottsdale.
Dorset Council, based in Scottsdale, was this month appointed the Corridor Manager by the Tasmania State Government.
The Council proposed in 2014 to convert the unused North East rail line to a rail trail. The North East line turns off the active Launceston-Bell Bay rail line at Coldwater Creek, on Launceston’s northern outskirts, and extends 60km to Scottsdale.
Following a State Government report in 2018 and Legislative Council inquiry last year, the trail has been reduced to the Lilydale to Scottsdale project. A heritage rail project is also proposed for a section of the line closer to Launceston.
Dorset Council is continuing working with the community group North East Recreation Trail Inc to make the project a reality.
Dorset Council supports the project and being appointed corridor manager is a wonderful step forward. Dorset must submit development applications for the project with the applications assessed and approved by another council before building can start.
The trail will link with the existing 28km rail trail from Scottsdale to Billycock Hill, north-east of Scottsdale. This existing trail was built and is managed by Scottsdale Rotary Club.

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Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesSouth Australia’s Barossa Council has received an additional $100,000 grant through the Government of South Austra...
Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) has done it again – winning gold at the 2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards...
Rail Trail Australia’s (RTA) Community Grants program 2026-2027 is open and taking applications now. The scope and fun...
Grand Ridge Rail Trail Committee of Management (CoM) has installed brand new information signs along the 13km rail trail...
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) trail manager Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads has just completed a 10km sur...
Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) is asking for public support to reopen Lapstone Tunnel in the lower Blue Mountains. R...
Show your support for Rail Trails Australia by purchasing from our range of branded Rail Trails Australia clothing inclu...
Rail Trails Australia (RTA) has opened early-bird registration for the 2026 Rail Trails Conference to be held in Canberr...
The Barossa Council in South Australia has installed 2 new bench seats along the Barossa Trail near Angaston. An inclusi...
Rail Trails Australia’s (RTA) Eastern Victoria representative John Birrell attended the July launch of the Great S...
The clearing of part of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail (BBIRT), from Barrimoon to Barrimoon Rd, towards Kalpowar, h...
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