What is the situation with numerous rail trail proposals in the southern highlands of NSW?
In October, Rail Trails Australia president Damian McCrohan and Canberra based regional representative Dennis Punidard spent a weekend meeting with them to find out.
First up was a meeting with long time proponent of the Goulburn Crookwell Rail Trail, Bob Kirk, who also gave us a quick tour of the marvellous river side trails in Goulburn. The Goulburn Mulwaree Council has voted to support the rail trail proposal put forward by the Goulburn Rail Trail Steering Committee to develop the rail trail to their boundary at Graywood Siding near Woodhouselea. This is about half of the corridor to Crookwell. Council is now looking for funding to prepare the Development Plan, which is required as part of the NSW government’s rail trail guidelines, and for construction as well.
Next was the Molonglo Rail Trail which will connect Bungendore and Captains Flat. Greg Durr met us at the Captains Flat station and explained some of the plans for remediation of the area and the connection down into picturesque town of Captains Flat itself. There was a large ore mine at Captains Flat, which was the reason for the railway, and now significant clean up of contaminated land is underway. It is hoped that this will also faciliate some rail trail construction. Queanbeyan Palerang Council is now in support of the rail trail.
Next day we enjoyed a ride around Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffith with Peter and Rosanne Coumbis, and friend Annie, despite the cold and very strong wind. Peter is on the Monaro Rail Trail committee, and also RTA committee. After the ride we found shelter and discussed developments on the Monaro Rail Trail, which when complete would link Queanbeyan to Cooma and Bombala.
The great news is that the Snowy Monaro Regional Council voted the week before to proceed with formally applying to the Federal government for a $1m commitment made by the local Federal member the Hon Kristy McBain at the last Federal election. It was limited to the 25 kms section of the southernmost section of the Monaro Rail Trail. While the $1m only enables a 3.5kms section out from the trailhead at Bombala it is tremendously significant as it will enable shovels to be placed in the ground given all other planning and reports have been obtained. More importantly there is another recently announced grant (the Regional Precincts and Partnership Program) which will allow an application to be made in parallel for the balance of 21.5 km as well as for a 60 km section at the northernmost end from the trail head at Queanbeyan to Michelago. Preparation of a Development Plan is currently under way.
Dennis has also recently met with the Galong to Boorowa Rail Trail group several times, and they are confident of obtaining sufficient funding to prepare their Development Plan shortly.
So all are the rail trails are in different stages of planning and design and very positive compared to several years ago. A credit to the local groups, councils, state government and of course all rail trail supporters.
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Register for news updatesThe Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail has a new attraction – a restored NSW Railways guard’s van. Located at...
The Australian and South Australian Government’s have jointly (50:50) funded $200m to replace the existing Glenelg Tra...
Rail Trails Australia is very happy to announce some new and enhanced features to our website have recently been impleme...
The bridge over the Stuart Murray Canal on the Murchison to Rushworth (Waranga) Rail Trail in northern Victoria has been...
The members of the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) are continuing their planning and advocacy for funding and ...
The south-eastern end of the Heathmont-Belgrave Trail in Melbourne has received some long-overdue love from Yarra Ranges...
Neighbouring shires Lismore City Council and Byron Shire Council have completed an application together in a bid to se...
Rail trail supporters at Glenroy station site, 15 June 2024. ...
Trail users on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail have welcomed the recent opening of a new bridge over Logan Creek, located...
Recently Rail Trails Australia ran a competition on its social media to win 2 full day e-Bike hire passes to ride the Gr...
The Barossa Council has upgraded directional markings for the Barossa Rail Trail in Nuriootpa. Arriving from Tanunda dir...
On 7 June 2024, the eastern extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail was opened to users, completing a 129 km trail th...
The Mike Turtur Rail Trail extends from the City of Adelaide Parklands to the coastal suburb of Glenelg, a distance of 9...
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The Port Dock railway line extension will result in a change to the Outer Harbor Rail Trail (South Australia) route and ...
Rail Trails Australia (RTA) is excited to announce a community grants program for 2024. RTA’s 2024 grants program will...