Rail Trails Australia has been aware of the enormous potential for wonderful recreational paths in NSW for some time. Whilst there are over 800km of functional rail trails in Victoria for example, there are no public rail corridors available as rail trails in NSW. Increasingly, this situation is seen as inappropriate and a wasteful loss of state resource, especially given the ‘tourism gateway’ status of Sydney and NSW. The international boom of cycle-tourism is lost to NSW – a situation that needs to be rectified.
Rail Trails Australia has now embarked on a directed strategy to encourage the government of NSW to allow the development of rail trails on some of its long-disused transport corridors. Partnerships have been established with state organizations like GoAlliance and BiNSW to further the cause.
GoAlliance is an organization focused on facilitating effective transport and mobility solutions. GoAlliance recognizes that effective and accessible transport choices are essential factors to a vibrant community, economy and environment and to sustain personal wellbeing. Clearly, rail trails form a foundation for community benefit – NSW is currently being denied this advantage.
The Bicycle Institute of NSW (BiNSW) is committed to “creating a better environment for cycling” across NSW. Like Rail Trails Australia, BiNSW realize the enormous potential benefit that NSW is currently unable to capitalize on due to the absence of rail trails.
Recently, a substantial meeting was convened in Wagga Wagga in southern NSW. Rail Trails Australia, GoAlliance and state and local trail supporters gathered and discussed the current situation with local, state and federal politicians. The railway from Wagga to Tumbarumba has been disused for decades. The line is broken in a number of places and there are no plans to return rail services along this corridor. A feasibility study confirms the viability of reuse of this state land as a community resource linear park, a rail trail. One consideration is a pilot rail trail on the section from Wagga Wagga to Ladysmith, which could be the start of the first major regional rail trail in NSW!
Many local, rural and regional organizations are also joining Rail Trails Australia to encourage the NSW state government, in particular the Transport Minister, to allow development of multi-user paths on disused railway corridors. More news following some meetings with the government in Sydney in early July. Hopefully, the wheels can be set in motion to encourage community benefit and develop NSW rail trails.
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Register for news updatesCampaspe Shire Council have recently provided an update on the Rushworth Rail Trail project which is on track for comple...
A celebration on 25 November on the trail at Mossiface will mark the completion of a series of major upgrades to the ico...
Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Many of these events take place ...
Running a marathon is a big enough challenge, but running three marathons in a day is a massive feat of endurance. That...
The committee for Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail Inc has made a significant leap towards realization of the Boorowa Galo...
The unstoppable Yarra Ranges Council have been at it again, with pedestrian-activated traffic lights installed at the in...
November UPDATE: Unfortunately the soft opening in December has been postponed due to bridge program being delayed. It w...
What is the situation with numerous rail trail proposals in the southern highlands of NSW? In October, Rail Trails Austr...
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson officially opened The Bunny Trail on Tuesday 24 October. The “Bunny Trail” prov...
Some of our more mature rail trails are looking at ways to enhance visitor experience to increase visitations. This incl...
Join the Upper Yarra Valley Historical Society’s slow paced bicycle ride from Warburton to Yarra Junction along th...
A few small changes to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail in South Australia have occurred in recent months that will make ridin...
The District Council of Mt Remarkable has completed the final stage of the Southern Flinders Rail Trail, the 28km Booler...
Construction of Australia’s soon to be longest rail trail has recently gained momentum, with the Palaszczuk Government...
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