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.
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More News
Sunday, 4 June, saw the Mansfield Marathon along the Mansfield end of the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) return for t...
Paul Baker, an enthusiastic rider who is aiming to ride every rail trail in Victoria in 2023, recently rode his 29th Ra...
The section of the Port Fairy – Warrnambool Rail Trail between Port Fairy and Illowa will soon benefit from a new surf...
The community have the opportunity to provide direct feedback to assist the Mt Alexander Shire Council in partnership wi...
The City of Greater Bendigo will shortly commence a project to construct and install public toilets, bike hoops, new par...
A large crowd turned out today (Friday 26 May) on a beautiful morning at Trawool Estate for the official launch of the A...
On Wednesday 10 May 2023 a public-information session was held for community members to view and discuss the plans for r...
The duplication of Main South Road from Seaford to Sellicks Beach has commenced and will include a 16km off-road shared ...
The Bunny Rail Trail is a new trail under development between Ballarat and Buninyong in Western Victoria. Walkers, runne...
The good news just keeps rolling in for the Tweed Section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail with the Tweed Council NRRT ...
On 17 May 2023, Cessnock City Council unanimously approved the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and associated repo...
The third South Burnett Express Rail Trail Relay, run from Kingaroy to Wondai (on the Kilkivan – Kingaroy Rail Tra...
The catchily-named Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail will have its 800m extension from Edenmont Rd to Belgrave-Gembrook Rd ...
The Coast to Vines Rail Trail in South Australia now has a new side trail called the Flat to Vale Trail and while it is ...
The Australian and South Australian governments have jointly (50:50) funded $400m for the removal of level crossings whe...
The Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) Art Installation Project is on track to be completed by the end of April as planne...
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.