Two RTA representatives attended the “Western Region Bicycle Forum” at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo on Tuesday 10th May.
The Forum was well attended by approximately 40 people, with a mix of Transport for NSW (TfNSW) representatives, local councils, Cycle Clubs, BUG reps, University professors, and other bicycle minded people.
TfNSW was the convener, and the forum was well run by the MC Jacqueline Anderson.
The official opening and welcome was conducted by the Mayor of the Dubbo Regional Council, Mathew Dickerson.
John O’Brien, one of the RTA regional representatives for NSW, gave the opening presentation on Rail Trails in Australia, and particularly the problems encountered in NSW with rail trail construction. Part of his focus was the economic benefits that rail trails bring to the nearby communities. The presentation finished with a screening of our excellent Tumbarumba to Rosewood video. All the participants were very impressed with the video, and there were many and varied questions following the screening.
Sam Reich, one of the committee members of RTA assisted with the presentation and was also able to answer many of the questions asked.
This was followed with a presentation by fellow RTA member Kathy Furney, on the Tracker Riley Cycleway in Dubbo. This is a 13 km cycleway loop that follows the Macquarie River on both sides and runs in part within the disused Dubbo to Molong Railway corridor for approx. 3km. A slide show illustrated the various stages of construction, and in particular the new cycle bridge adjacent to the large steel truss railway bridge over the Macquarie River.
We were encouraged by a presentation from Ian Jordan (Project Manager Corridor Renewal & Activation) from TfNSW, who indicated that TfNSW now recognised that Rail Trails are a viable use of disused railway lines. He is trying to develop a new streamlined process to help standardise the procedures involved to build a Rail Trail. The success of the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail has opened the eyes of the Government, and highlighted how good they are for tourism and local economies.
Maybe some of the hard work by rail trail advocates is finally starting to pay off!
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Register for news updatesSunday, 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...
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One comment on “Western Region Bicycle Forum NSW”
Great work all of you, can’t wait to get out on them there trails!