On the 23rd of September 2009 the NSW Transport Minister, Mr David Campbell, introduced legislation into Parliament that will enable the construction of rail trails in NSW on disused government railway lines.
At the moment this is prohibited so this legislation is a vital step in allowing NSW communities to enjoy the benefits of rail trails like those in all the other states and overseas. And there are some wonderful rail trails proposed that when developed will be able to be enjoyed by all Australians. Refer List here.
However the legislation is facing opposition, critically in the upper house. Now is the time for all rail trail supporters to write to the government, opposition parties and the media, and express your support for the development of rail trails on disused rail trails NOW.
ad***@ra********.au?subject=Thank%20you%20for%20supporting%20Rail%20Trails%20in%20NSW”>Write to Minister Campbell and thank him for having the courage and foresight to introduce this timely and necessary change.
The Greens support an expansion of cycling infrastructure and retention of rail corridors.
We understand the Victorian Nationals have been long-term supporters of Rail Trails and bicycle infrastructure in regional communities and would hope that the NSW Nationals can do the same.
The corridors, which local groups have been working on for many years to have rail trails developed, have been disused for at least several decades. Using a corridor as a rail trails ensures that what is left of them now is preserved (some have already been cut by development). The legislation specifically allows for a rail service to be restored should the need arise.
The following questions and answers were provided by the Transport Minister’s office. A link to the proposed legislation follows.
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Register for news updatesVolunteer to count bikes for 2 hours on 4 March and Bicycle Network will donate $70 to Rail Trails Australia. Each year,...
Excitement is mounting as bridge works on the Yarra Valley Rail Trail near Yering in Victoria start to take shape. One o...
The Coast to Vines Rail Trail has a 4 km rural section between the suburb of Seaford Rise and the township of McLaren Va...
The NSW government has responded to a recent question on the possible return to rail services on Great Northern Rail Lin...
Last week the Fraser Coast Regional Council announced that it will request the Queensland Government to contribute $9 mi...
Our judge (a former newspaper travel editor) has selected the best rail trail review from a range of reviews submitted o...
Rail Trails Australia has announced the winners of $10,000 worth of grants designed to assist community organisations to...
Rail Trails Australia’s regional representatives are often testing out ‘their’ rail trails in the regi...
Our vice-president Steven Kaye was interviewed by Nic Healey on ABC radio (Victoria) this week. He discussed how local c...
Get ready to ride the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) on Saturday, March 29. Cycle Dindi is a fully supported, family ...
Comments on the extension of the Mornington Railside Trail south of Melbourne close Friday 31 January. The draft master...
Transforming a disused railway line into a prized tourist attraction and public space is no easy task. The Summer 2024-2...
Building a shared bridge over busy Toorak Rd on the Outer Circle Rail Trail in Melbourne was not one of the state gove...
Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) and Mareeba Shire Council gathered at Walkamin recently to celebrate the joining of No...
The excitement continues in the Northern Rivers region of NSW with the official opening of Stage 3 of the Northern River...
The Barossa Council has been conducting a cleanup of the Angaston Station precinct on the Barossa Rail Trail. Invasive s...