Rail Trails Australia participated in a cycle tourism presentation hosted by federal Parliamentary Friends of Cycling Today, a bipartisan group of Federal MPs who are riders and interested in cycling issues. The presentation focused on rail trails and was organised by We Ride Australia, a cycling industry-led group.
Jeff Ibbotson, one of Rail Trails Australia New South Wales regional representatives, was in supportive company at Parliament House, Canberra, on 16 February.
On behalf of RTA Jeff attended a cycle tourism presentation hosted by Parliamentary Friends of Cycling Today, a bipartisan group of Federal MPs who are riders and interested in cycling issues. The presentation focused on rail trails and was organised by We Ride Australia, a cycling industry-led group.
Friends of Cycling co-chairs Dave Sharma and Andrew Leigh spoke enthusiastically about the economic benefits of cycle tourism, as did Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton and Shadow Attorney General Mark Dreyfus. Co-chair Dr Helen Haines, independent member for Indi — home of northeast Victoria rail trails — also talked about ‘her’ rail trails.
The event finished with the RTA vice president Steven Kaye giving a presentation on the economic and social benefits of rail trails. This was by video as unfortuantely the Victorian lockdown prevented his attendance in person! The video can be viewed here.
NSW Members of Parliament also picked up Rail Trails Australia’s NSW RT information sheet, and the RTA fact sheet on the Linville Hotel success story on the Brisbane Valley RT.
Following the presentation Jeff talked with Mark Coulton, Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government. Mark represents an enormous electorate that stretches from Dubbo to Broken Hill. He enjoys cycling and is keen to promote cycle tourism in western NSW; Jeff says Minister Coulton showed great interest in the Central West Cycling Trail, which follows quiet back roads between Mudgee and Dubbo.
Jeff also spoke with Bert Van Manen, member for the southern Queensland seat of Forde, who is very keen to see some disused rail lines and other public land in his electorate repurposed for cycling trails. He made the observation that land used by high voltage power lines could help link up with other public land to make cycling trails.
On his home turf of SE NSW, Jeff chatted with Kristy McBain, a new MP whose electorate takes in the potential Monaro and Molonglo RTs, and Andrew Leigh who represents an ACT electorate but is most supportive of adjoining NSW RTs. Andrew urged Rail Trails Australia to encourage MPs with local government experience to talk about the benefits of rail trails to local government representatives.
Jeff’s impression of the presentation was very positive. He says, “I was struck by how bipartisan is the support for rail trails and cycle tourism among Federal MPs from rural and regional areas. It’s not a party political issue; it’s more a matter of educating MPs on the economic and social benefits, and asking them to support the economic recovery and regional development funding opportunities that are out there.”
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...