In Goulburn on October 2, NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay met with the Goulburn Mulwaree Council to discuss key projects.
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One of these was the Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail, which Ms McKay discussed in detail, saying she supported the council's push for the project.
"We are very supportive of the rail trail," Ms McKay said.
The Goulburn Mulwaree Council has asked for $16 million towards funding the project.
"They have done the feasibility study, the planning and the bio-security work and yet they still can't get funding," Ms McKay said.
"Goulburn is so close to Sydney and Canberra, it just makes sense to have this major tourism drawcard here."
Her comments echo fellow Labor MP Jo Haylen.
Ms Haylen visited Goulburn a few weeks ago and inspected some of the proposed trail route with Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Bob Kirk.
At the time Ms Haylen said the Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail was "truly stunning".
Rail trails...get people walking and cycling, while also bringing economic growth to our regions.
- Labor MP Jo Haylen
"I got to explore the proposed line with the mayor of Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Bob Kirk and local rail trail advocates," she said.
"Rail trails are such a fantastic opportunity to get people walking and cycling, while also bringing much needed economic growth to our regions.
"This and other rail trails across NSW would be such a wonderful asset for these local communities and the state."
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman was contacted for comment on the Labour Day public holiday but was unable to respond at the time of publication.
Upper Lachlan Shire Council Mayor John Stafford said the council did not meet with the NSW Labor representatives during their visit to the district last week.
However, the cycle trail is earmarked as a priority in the council's action plan for the Southern Regional Economic Development Strategy.
In February, Ms Tuckerman told the Crookwell Gazette there were further issues regarding legislation to acquire the land and close the rail line, and these needed to be "nutted out".
If the Rail Trail project commenced, a legislative amendment to close the line would be required and bio-security and farm-amenity impacts addressed.
Ms McKay was joined on her visit to Goulburn by Labor Duty MLC for Goulburn and Shadow Minister for Crown Lands and Mental Health Tara Moriarty, who expressed her commitment to regional areas.
"Regional NSW needs a voice in parliament that is not just the Nationals," Ms Moriarty said.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman did not respond at time of publication.
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