Presentation to: MURRAY DARLING ASSOCIATION, ALBURY 17th April 2015
PRESENTER Bob Kirk • Chair, Goulburn-Crookwell Rail Trail Inc. • Deputy Mayor, Goulburn Mulwaree Council Representing Rail Trails for NSW • 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 on 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, • o ver 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 one 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
"I'm not a biker, nor a hiker, but I'm a liker..."
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?
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