Richmond Vale Rail Trail takes a step closer to reality
The much-vaunted $14 million Richmond Vale Rail Trail is a step closer to reality, with Newcastle City Council agreeing on Tuesday night to complete a concept design and environmental impact statement.
The former Richmond Vale railway line goes between Hexam and Pelaw Main, which is very close to Kurri Kurri. It is 32km long, and would be used as a cycling and walking track.
The $480,000 design and impact assessment project awarded to GHD, has been funded primarily by Newcastle council, along with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services, Cessnock City Council and the Donaldson Conservation Trust.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the project would “open up this unique natural environment to thousands of locals and tourists, allowing people to enjoy an area that would otherwise remain hidden from view”.
The total project is estimated to cost $14 million, with economic analysis undertaken as part of an independent feasibility study predicting it will bring $5.2 million per year into the region through day trips and overnight stays.
The trail incorporates three brick-lined rail tunnels and crosses Wallis Creek, Surveyors Creek, Fishery Creek and Ironbark Creek.
“I’m excited to see this project move ahead,” Cr Nelmes said. “This project will highlight both the conservation effort and mining history of the Lower Hunter, while delivering substantial economic and social returns to the community.
Description and map of the proposed rail trail can be found here.
More News
On 24 March, Rail Trails Australia hosted the 2023 Rail Trails Forum in Murwillumbah NSW, timed to coincide with the Com...
The Tweed region in northern NSW celebrated the opening of the first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail in a big ...
Come and walk or ride the Great Southern Rail Trail at the official opening event for the extension between Nyora to Leo...
The O’Keefe Challenge is gearing up for its annual Light the Rail Trail on Saturday 29 April 2023. The annual event ...
The Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) have taken a visionary and courageous step to create a short film to b...
Over 130 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoyed a bike ride in perfect conditions along the Great Victorian Rail...
Planning for the new Somerville to Baxter shared path as part of the Peninsula Trail project is progressing well. The B...
Rail Trails Australia Central Queensland rep Desley O’Grady made a flying visit to Hervey Bay recently to inspect ...
Are you a keen caravanner? Are you also a cyclist? The March edition of the Caravan World magazine has a theme of family...
The Copper Coast Rail Trail between Kadina and Wallaroo was constructed in 2017. The 17km extension of the trail from Wa...
It’s time to bring the community together for the official celebration weekend of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. On S...
The Wadandi Track (formerly known as the Busselton-Flinders Bay Rail Trail) is a partially complete rail trail in WA’s...
There was a palpable sense of history being made in Murwillumbah NSW this morning, as the Tweed section of the Northern ...
The City of Greater Bendigo are currently in the process of ensuring some of the older sections of Victoria’s O’...
The Launceston Council recently approved another section of the Scottsdale to Lilydale rail trail, part of the North Eas...
The “Puffing Billy trail” is getting closer to the iconic Victorian steam train’s Belgrave headquarters, even if o...
News 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
On 24 March, Rail Trails Australia hosted the 2023 Rail Trails Forum in Murwillumbah NSW, timed to coincide with the Com...
The Tweed region in northern NSW celebrated the opening of the first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail in a big ...
Come and walk or ride the Great Southern Rail Trail at the official opening event for the extension between Nyora to Leo...
The O’Keefe Challenge is gearing up for its annual Light the Rail Trail on Saturday 29 April 2023. The annual event ...
The Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) have taken a visionary and courageous step to create a short film to b...
Over 130 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoyed a bike ride in perfect conditions along the Great Victorian Rail...
Planning for the new Somerville to Baxter shared path as part of the Peninsula Trail project is progressing well. The B...
Rail Trails Australia Central Queensland rep Desley O’Grady made a flying visit to Hervey Bay recently to inspect ...
Are you a keen caravanner? Are you also a cyclist? The March edition of the Caravan World magazine has a theme of family...
The Copper Coast Rail Trail between Kadina and Wallaroo was constructed in 2017. The 17km extension of the trail from Wa...
It’s time to bring the community together for the official celebration weekend of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. On S...
The Wadandi Track (formerly known as the Busselton-Flinders Bay Rail Trail) is a partially complete rail trail in WA’s...
There was a palpable sense of history being made in Murwillumbah NSW this morning, as the Tweed section of the Northern ...
The City of Greater Bendigo are currently in the process of ensuring some of the older sections of Victoria’s O’...
The Launceston Council recently approved another section of the Scottsdale to Lilydale rail trail, part of the North Eas...
The “Puffing Billy trail” is getting closer to the iconic Victorian steam train’s Belgrave headquarters, even if o...