MURRAY DARLING ASSOCIATION, ALBURY 17th April 2015 PRESENTER Bob - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

MURRAY DARLING ASSOCIATION, ALBURY

17th April 2015

Presentation to:

PRESENTER

Bob Kirk Representing Rail Trails for NSW

• Chair, Goulburn-Crookwell Rail Trail Inc.
• Deputy Mayor, Goulburn Mulwaree Council
• Patron - Hon Tim Fischer AC
• Chairman - John Moore OAM, RFD, ED

BACKGROUND

1. What is a rail trail ? 2. Why a rail trail ? 3. History of Rail Trails in Australia 4. Recent developments in NSW

• 1. WHAT IS A RAIL TRAIL?
• Rail Trails (RTs) are shared-user paths along disused

railway corridors.

• tracks and sleepers are removed and replaced with road base,
• corridor is fenced both sides (usually 5m-15m wide) with specific

treatments for road crossings, trail heads (toilets, water, shade, parking),

• individual solutions for properties on an "as needs" basis including

gates, grids, stock & machinery crossings, stock water needs, boundary fencing etc.,

• compacted gravel or a sealed surface - usually to 3M wide,
• becomes a recreational, nature-based community facility,
• used for walking, cycling and, where possible, horse riding,
• motorised vehicles, apart from mobility scooters and wheelchairs,

are excluded.

• 2. WHY A RAIL TRAIL?

(or - the better question might be - why are Rail Trails so popular ?)

• Rail Trails follow the route of the railway,
• RT'S cut through hills, over embankments, across gullies and creeks,
• the steepest grade of a railway line is seldom more than 1 in 30,
• no sharp rises and falls, no sharp bends, just sweeping curves and gentle

undulations,

• visibility ahead and behind is usually very good,
• high embankments and bridges often provide breathtaking views,
• cuttings provide variety and respite from wind and sun,
• routes are quiet and serene. You can see, hear, smell, enjoy nature,
• many rail trails take you to otherwise inaccessible places,
• rail trails provide a window into the past, to a time when railways opened up

the country,

• historic buildings and equipment can be seen. RT's provide opportunities for

cafes, souvenir shops and other services,

• towns and villages along the way offer refreshments, meals and

accommodation,

• this is why disused railway lines make such superb and safe pathways for

walkers, strollers, runners, riders of all ages.

• 3. HISTORY OF RAIL TRAILS IN AUSTRALIA
• In 1994, a Victorian Government initiative saw construction begin
• n the first Rail Trail in Australia,
• since that time, every state in Australia, except NSW, has

embraced the concept,

• there are now over 100 active Rail Trails being commissioned,
• about 150 Shire Councils and community groups have been

involved,

• many RTs have 3 Councils working side by side to bring it

together,

• NSW is the only state with no RTs built on a former government

line,

• UK has 150 - Germany has 650 - US has almost 2000.
• http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_trail#Australia

• 4. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NSW
• 13/6/2014 - Andrew Stoner (then Deputy Premier/Minister for

Tourism) announced $110M Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund - specifically for Ports ($10M), Airports ($50M) and Rail Trails ($50M)

• Sept 2014 - RTforNSW convenes initial forum for potential

NSW RT's

• 5/12 /2014 - 12 potential RT's are identified and submitted

proposals

• 6/1/2015 - Government announces pilot projects
• 31/3/2015 - EOI's for the pilot projects close

(many non-pilot projects also submitted during this process)

Current projects being developed across NSW

Northern Rivers Rail Trail – Murwillumbah to Casino Riverina Highlands Trail – Tumbarumba to Rosewood Monaro Rail Trail - Canberra to Bombala Upper Molongo Rail Trail - Bungendore to Captains Flat Culcairn to Corowa Rail Trail New England Rail Trail Mittagong to Picton Rail Trail

Murrumbidgee Valley Rail Trail Wolgan Valley Rail Trail Gulgong to Mudgee – Kandos Rail Trail Dubbo to Molong Rail Trail Waterfall to Stanwell Park Rail Trail Coolac to Gundagai to Tumbalong Rail Trail Broken Hill to Silverton Rail Trail

Goulburn – Crookwell Rail Trail

WHERE ARE WE?

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?

• Adjoining property owners - dissection of farming/grazing holdings
• Privacy, security, theft, vandalism, litter, fire risks
• Farm management impacts, reduced property values, biosecurity
• Ongoing maintenance cost to community

All these issues, and more, have been raised with every (100+) RT All have been adequately addressed - individual solutions for properties on an "as needs" basis - incl. gates, grids, stock & machinery crossings, stock water boundary fencing etc.. Frequently Asked Questions/Answers - go to GCRT website www.gcrt.org.au

WHO USES RAIL TRAILS?

• The predominant user group is cyclists,
• over 50’s – recreational (not the road racing set),
• professional and administrative/retired,
• family groups/children, work/social groups,
• Enjoy routes free from motor vehicles,
• away from the smell and noise of roads,
• social and health benefits

Image source: http://m.visitvictoria.com/Regions/High-Country/Things-to-do/Outdoor-activities/Cycling

WHO USES RAIL TRAILS?

Results from a 2013 online survey showed:

• 92% were over 40 years old
• 38% spent over $100 per day while cycle touring
• 54% rode for 10 days or more when cycle touring
• 53% had ridden the Victorian “Murray to the mountains” rail trail
• 69% had ridden on overseas rail trails (eg: the Otago rail trail, NZ)

Professor Sue Beeton from La Trobe University, Melbourne.

http://www.yooyahcloud.com/BICYCLESA/SrCoJb/Beeton_MTM_Rail_Trail.pdf

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

(Review of 8 separate studies to 2009)

• DayTrippers
• Food & beverage
• Transport
• Retail
• Other (including cycle maintenance)
• $97.09 per day/person
• Overnight Visitors
• As above
• Plus accommodation
• $165.00 per day/person

Image source: http://www.wanderingeducators.com/best/traveling/traverse-city-wine- country-fall-colors-and-perfect-grapes.html

ECONOMIC BENEFITS (continued)

Tourism Research Australia

• Every $87,659 added to the region’s Visitor Economy creates
• ne full time job
• $4.563M = 52 jobs in Goulburn and Crookwell

Image source: http://www.chronogram.com/hudsonvalley/the-rail-trail-cafe/Content?oid=2264176

but I'm a liker..."

"I'm not a biker, nor a hiker,

• GCRTInc. – WHY AM I INVOLVED?

I like the economic /tourism benefits that such a development will bring to the Goulburn and Crookwell communities. These are abundantly clear, and significant: -

• Make beneficial use of an existing disused public asset
• Cost $15.6M ( $278,571 per km)
• FS projects 30,000 users pa
• New/increased business opportunities
• New/increased local employment opportunities
• Under a range of conservative scenarios, FS projects an annual tourism

spend into the community of $4.5M

• Goulburn is within 2.5 hrs drive for 75% of the NSW population
• Capture the current "escape" spending going to Victorian RT's
• Community consultation - wide spread support

MORE INFORMATION

Rail Trails for NSW website - www.railtrailsnsw.com.au

Or contact:

John Moore OAM RFD ED Chairman PH: 02 9983 9387 MOB: 0403 160 750 Email: rtfornsw@optusnet.com.au

Goulburn-Crookwell Rail Trail Inc website - www.gcrt.org.au

Or contact:

Bob Kirk JP Chairman PH: 02 4821 7527 MOB: 0418 217 520 Email: rjkirk@bigpond.com

QUESTIONS?