Tasmanian Rail Trail Extension Gets Launceston Council Green Light

Lilydale, Tasmania A proposed 41km extension of northern Tasmania’s North East Rail Trail has cleared a major milestone, with Launceston Council last week giving approval for the section within its boundaries. City of Launceston’s decision to approve its 14km section, from Wyena to Lilydale Falls Reserve, comes a year after the neighbouring Dorset Council endorsed…

New Cycling Strategy for Northern Victorian Region

Two people cycling across a bridge in bushland setting

Kerang, Victoria Walking and cycling infrastructure in north-western Victoria is set to be boosted by a Walking and Cycling Strategy adopted by Gannawarra Shire Council recently. The 21 actions in the strategy include a proposed 22km Kerang to Koondrook Rail Trail, along a former tramways route from Kerang from the Koondrook Wharf. The Victorian government…

NSW Rail Trails on Track Following Legislation Change

Rail Trails Australia exhibit stand

Sydney, NSW NSW is poised to gain a rapid succession of new rail trails over the next few years, in the wake of recent legislative changes to remove a major obstacle to converting disused rail corridors into cycling and walking trails, according to Australia’s peak rail trails advocacy group. “Hopefully within five years we could…

Tasmanian Rail Trail Extension Open for Public Comment

North East Rail Trail

Lilydale, Tasmania A vital section of a proposed rail trail extension in north-eastern Tasmania is open for community comment until 14th September. The City of Launceston is inviting comment on a development application for the 14km section that sits within its local government area, between Wyena and Lilydale Falls Reserve. It’s part of a total…

Rockhampton Rail Trail Study Open for Public Comment

A feasibility study is underway for a 17.5km rail trail between Rockhampton and Mt Morgan. Photo credit: Rockhampton Regional Council.

Rockhampton, QLD Preliminary designs for a Mt Morgan rail trail near Rockhampton have been released for public comment. Rockhampton Regional Council is proposing a 17.5km trail in central Queensland, between Rockhampton, the trail head at Kabra and Mt Morgan. The plans are open for public feedback until this Sunday, as part of a feasibility study…

Railway Station Upgrades as Great Southern Rail Trail Steams Ahead

Leongatha, Victoria Multi-million-dollar upgrades have been announced for two railway stations on Victoria’s Great Southern Rail Trail. A total of $6 million has been earmarked to develop the Korumburra and Leongatha stations and surrounds, to enhance community open space and boost activity in the town centres. The State Government recently confirmed it will provide $2…

Capturing the Compelling Case for Rail Trails

Tumbarumba Rail Trail

Virtually every Australian rail trail proves to be a huge boon to its local economy when it’s opened. Yet virtually every proposed new trail, especially in NSW, take years of pitch battles fought by heroic volunteers in order to overcome the same ill-informed and negative arguments that are thrown up against them.

We recently became aware of a particularly eloquent letter that was written by a local resident nine months after a landmark rail trail in NSW was finally opened last year.

Funding Announced for Long Awaited Tasmanian Rail Trail Expansion

The North East Recreational Trail has the potential to become a world class recreational cycling route from central Launceston to Scottsdale, a distance of over 60 kilometres. So far 26 kilometres has been opened from Scottsdale to Tulundeena. This happened in two stages respectively opened in 2012 and 2015 largely thanks to volunteer work by…

Huge Ridership and Business Generated by Newly Opened Rail Trail

Victoria has long led Australia in terms of the construction and ridership of rail trails. The state now boasts and extensive network, of which three of the best known and most heavily used include the Murray to Mountains, Lilydale to Warburton and Bellarine rail trails. But despite this economic success from their traditional rival, for…