NSW Rail Trails legislation approved
Legislation to make it easier to approve new rail trails in NSW has been passed by both houses of the NSW Parliament, with the NSW Legislative Assembly voting in favour on 10 August.
The legislation enables the Minister for Transport to grant 30-year leases to local governments on disused government-owned NSW rail corridors for tourism purposes. Abandoned rail lines on ex-government corridors in NSW are currently regarded as non-operational but not closed. Previously, each rail trail proposal in NSW required a separate act of Parliament to “close” and re-purpose the corridor, resulting in political blockages to progress. This has now been addressed in the new rules, with a simpler process.
The visible success of the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail in southern NSW, which opened in April 2020 during the COVID pandemic and was formally opened in April 2021, has been the major driver of this much-needed change in the NSW rules for rail trails. Rail Trails Australia commends the community groups who worked tirelessly for their achievement in being the catalyst for change.
Both major parties in the NSW Parliament supported the legislation. Rail trail proposals will still need to have demonstrated local community support and a positive business case. Local councils will continue to play a pivotal role.
Rail Trails Australia welcomes the new legislation as a positive development for the future of rail trails in NSW, which remains behind other States and other countries in realising the many benefits that rail trails offer. We also thank all of you who answered our call to action on 29 July before the legislation was formally voted on in the NSW Parliament and enabled it to be passed so relatively quickly after many years of lobbying.
More News
Campaspe Shire Council recently awarded Northern Construction Group the contract to build approximately 10km of gravel c...
We’re inviting you to attend what may be the largest gathering ever of rail trail volunteers and supporters at our...
On Monday, 2 September a very excited and proud Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail group celebrated the exciting announc...
The Great Victorian Rail Trail runs from Tallarook to Mansfield in Victoria’s High Country, with a branch line to ...
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) have been working on the 7km section of the Atherton Tablel...
The Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils in NSW is made up of the ten local councils that cover the entire Hunter regio...
Volunteers of all ages have planted over 20,000 trees and shrubs along the popular Gippsland Plains Rail Trail (Victoria...
The Great Southern Rail Trail‘s extension to Yarram is now officially open! The new 21-kilometre section brings th...
A section of the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail is closed for the rest of the year while contractors undertake the diffic...
In 2021 a severe storm impacted the Trentham area, including the much loved Domino Rail Trail in country Victoria. A loc...
We wish to clear our items remaining in stock ASAP and a limited selection are available for immediate processing and de...
The 33 kilometre Beechworth to Yackandandah section of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in north east Victoria has bee...
The Wonthaggi Station Museum Precinct has recently received a major lift with a number of actions completed. These inclu...
On 31 July 2024 around 150 people attended the launch of Friends of NERT, which replaces “NERT Inc.” to enco...
On August 1, Bicycle Queensland met with the major stakeholders for the Kingaroy to Kilkivan Rail Trail. This included s...
Rail Trails Australia is now available to receive donations through the 10 cents Containers for Change scheme in Victori...
Calendar of Events
See upcoming eventsNews Archives
Receive Our Free Email News
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesFeatured Articles
More News
Campaspe Shire Council recently awarded Northern Construction Group the contract to build approximately 10km of gravel c...
We’re inviting you to attend what may be the largest gathering ever of rail trail volunteers and supporters at our...
On Monday, 2 September a very excited and proud Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail group celebrated the exciting announc...
The Great Victorian Rail Trail runs from Tallarook to Mansfield in Victoria’s High Country, with a branch line to ...
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) have been working on the 7km section of the Atherton Tablel...
The Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils in NSW is made up of the ten local councils that cover the entire Hunter regio...
Volunteers of all ages have planted over 20,000 trees and shrubs along the popular Gippsland Plains Rail Trail (Victoria...
The Great Southern Rail Trail‘s extension to Yarram is now officially open! The new 21-kilometre section brings th...
A section of the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail is closed for the rest of the year while contractors undertake the diffic...
In 2021 a severe storm impacted the Trentham area, including the much loved Domino Rail Trail in country Victoria. A loc...
We wish to clear our items remaining in stock ASAP and a limited selection are available for immediate processing and de...
The 33 kilometre Beechworth to Yackandandah section of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in north east Victoria has bee...
The Wonthaggi Station Museum Precinct has recently received a major lift with a number of actions completed. These inclu...
On 31 July 2024 around 150 people attended the launch of Friends of NERT, which replaces “NERT Inc.” to enco...
On August 1, Bicycle Queensland met with the major stakeholders for the Kingaroy to Kilkivan Rail Trail. This included s...
Rail Trails Australia is now available to receive donations through the 10 cents Containers for Change scheme in Victori...
2 comments on “NSW Rail Trails legislation approved”
This is wonderful news for we in NSW who love rail trails and who have looked with envy across our borders at more enlightened states. Thank you to all involved. We have been waiting a long time.
Tremendous news!
Well done RTA and everyone connected with this breakthrough decision.