UPPER Lachlan and Goulburn Mulwaree Councils have joined forces in preparing a case for Government subsidy to establish a walking and cycling trail along the line of the disused rail track between the two centres.
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At last week’s Upper Lachlan Council meeting it was agreed to contribute $15,000 “seed funding” towards what is seen as a huge tourist attractions for the area.
Goulburn Mulwaree will contribute a similar amount, and Southern Tablelands Cycling will add a further $5,000.
This $65,000 is additional to $7,500 each Council weighed in for planning purposes in 2009.
New South Wales lags behind New Zealand and other States, particularly Victoria, when it comes to such cycling and walking trails.
In March this year the Minister for Tourism Ms Berijiklian announced that $110 million was to be set aside in the 2014/15 State budget for tourism, with a focus on rail trails.
At last week’s meeting Director of Works Mr. Phil Newham recommended the further involvement of Council in pre-planning for the scheme.
He told Councillors the aim was to develop a multi-purpose recreation rail trail suitable for use by cyclists, walkers and rail trike users, utilising the 54 kilometres of disused rail corridor between Goulburn and Crookwell.
This would involve removing the existing rail lines and sleepers, compacting the ballast and gravelling with crushed granite, to establish a 3-metre wide pathway.
“The corridor would be fenced on both sides, most likely to a width of ten metres,” Mr. Newham said.
“Existing bridges, culverts and crossings would be utilised and upgraded, and other works carried out to meet the needs of adjoining property owners,” Mr. Newham said.
“Tree plantings, eco-toilets and rest areas, signage, gates, crossings etc would also be included, and other measures to restrict vehicular access.”
Mr. Newham said two critical aspects now existed: to make a submission in time to be considered as part of the $110 million allocation, by mid-November, and funding to meet projected cost of consultants for the feasibility study.
It is for this latter aspect that Council decided to contribute its $15,000.
Mr. Newham commented that Council “couldn’t chase construction funds until the feasibility study is completed.”
Cr. Paul Culhane, who is a member of the planning group for the scheme, was strongly in favour.
He said New Zealand already had 21 such trails, and Victoria 36, covering 900 kilometres.
“With the exception of Tumbarumba, we’re well ahead of any other projects in New South Wales, and we should do everything to accommodate cyclists, pedestrians and trikes.”
Cr, Malcolm Barlow commented that there was a “lot of opposition” coming from landholders along the line, concerned with cutting properties in half, weed proliferation and rubbish – but he was all in favour of the scheme as a tourist attraction.
Mayor Cr. John Shaw: “Farmland has already been split by the rail line.”
Cr. Barlow: “But not fenced.”
Cr. Culhane: “All these factors will be considered.”
Cr. Brian McCormack said one concern of his was the use of the rails by the Crookwell Railway organisation, but this seemed to have been taken into account.
“We have to allow people access from one side of the trail to the other,” he added.
“It’s probably a good thing if we don’t throw too much money at it.”
General Manager Mr. John Bell, commenting on such a scheme in Victoria: “40,000 people bring $2.8 million into the area is an attraction.”
Finally Cr. Culhane and Cr. Jo Marshall moved that Council contribute the further $15,000, which was carried unanimously.
Cr. Culhane made a final commented: “There will always be people who don’t want the trail, but it is a chance to do something groundbreaking for the Shire.”