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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Sunday, March 3 saw over 100 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoy a bike ride under a clear blue sky and perfect...
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Register for news updatesThis week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The 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...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...
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...
Sunday, March 3 saw over 100 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoy a bike ride under a clear blue sky and perfect...
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...