In June the Riverina Regional Development Board adopted the recommendations of a feasibility study into a plan to convert two unused railway lines into rail trails; the 130km Wagga Wagga to Tumbarumba branch line and the 32km Tumut to Batlow branch line.
Click here for more details of the rail trail including map.
There is widespread community support for the plan though some adjacent landholders are opposed to the trail. The board’s executive officer Peter Dale says those landholder’s concerns have been addressed and in interviews said “The information coming back to us is that a lot of the landholders who initially might have been opposed, now that they’re fully appraised of what’s intended, have accepted that there’s a greater community good to be achieved through the development of these rail trails and that they indeed may benefit, certainly their communities overall will benefit,”
Railtrails Australia attended some of the public consultation meetings held as part of the feasibility study and based on these and the feasibility study report (available on the Riverina Regional Development Board website) agrees with the above. Experience from other states has shown that, where concerns have been properly addressed, once the rail trail is opened issues are minor and infrequent
It is understood that the relevant NSW government departments are in support of the rail trail proposal, as is the Australian Rail Track Corporation that manages the old lines on behalf of the government.
The four councils involved are also very much in support. The Tumbarumba Council has just finished a sealed bike path up to the Tumbarumba station area, perhaps in preparation! The Wagga Wagga Council and the RAAF are also keen to get the trail constructed from Wagga Wagga to Forest Hill RAAF Base and onto Ladysmith..
In the next few months it is hoped that the Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly, will announce the construction of the 19km first stage of the trail from Wagga Wagga to Ladysmith, which may have a sealed surface.
The rail trail committee is also seeking funding to prepare a detailed technical report for the rest of the proposal and to provide individual consultation with affected landholders.
As well as being a fantastic rail trail in its own right the Riverina Highlands Rail Trail will also undoubtedly become a model for other proposed rail trails in NSW so it is hoped it will proceed smoothly and as quickly as poosible. The large media coverage of the proposal in the region due to the concerned landholders is certainly raising the awareness in the NSW public about rail trails, which is a good thing as it is also bringing out widespread general community support.
However more support especially from outside the area will only help. Please write to the minsters below expressing your support and desire to see the trails proceed as soon as possible. If you have time copy your letters to Railtrails Australia at PO Box 302 East Melbourne 8002 or the email address below
John Watkins MP Minister for Transport
Tony Kelly MP Minister for Lands
The postal address for both ministers is
Level 34, Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place Sydney 2000
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Register for news updatesThe iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
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Riders and walkers will soon have another escape from the very popular Warburton Rail Trail courtesy of a program to cle...
On the 24 February the Atherton district and beyond saw members of the running and outdoor fraternity enjoying an inform...
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After detailed historical and site investigations, Heritage Victoria have placed the former Rushworth Railway Station on...
It’s only been open for a year, but the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has exceeded expectations. Dra...
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