At the recent WA Trails Conference, these fine gentlemen caught up and discussed old times in the trails world of Western Australia. Pictured from left are: Ken Burton, Mike Maher (Transplan Pty Ltd), Hon Barry House MLC, Jesse Brampton (Kulbardi Hill Consulting) and David Forster. All 5 were at the forefront of the trails movement in WA in the mid 1990’s and continue to this day to be planning and/or advocating for more quality trails in WA.
Following on from the earlier Feasibility Study, which concluded that the proposed rail trail was a viable and worthwhile project due to the economic (and other) benefits it would bring to the region (and the people and businesses of the region), Transplan Pty Ltd and Mike Halliburton Associates have been contracted to prepare the detailed Trail Development Plan for the rail trail.
This phase of the project will involve extensive community consultation and detailed investigations into works required (and the costs involved) in building the trail.
A series of ‘open houses’ (drop-in sessions) will be held in early December in both Goulburn and Crookwell. The purpose of these sessions is to provide information about the project via a display and one-on-one conversations as well as providing an opportunity for community members to ask questions.
The Trail Development Plan will form a component of the funding application soon to be submitted to the NSW Government for construction of the rail trail.
The final report of the Alexandra, Thornton and Eildon Trail Link Feasibility Study report has been submitted to the Murrindindi Shire Council.
Following consideration of the major issues pertaining to the development of a trail between Alexandra and Eildon (via Thornton), taking into account the views of key stakeholders, groups and individuals consulted (and background information obtained during the course of the project), this Study finds that the proposed trail will result in benefits to the communities through which it passes and the people who may use it.
The preferred route, utilising the road verges of Goulburn Valley Highway (between Alexandra and Thornton) and Back Eildon Road (between Thornton and Eildon) was examined in detail for its suitability for the proposed trail. Section 6 of the feasibility study presents the Estimates of Probable Costs associated with the development of the proposed trail on the preferred alignment, incorporating various trail infrastructure such as trail surfacing, trailhead development, bridges and boardwalks, signage, clearing and drainage. It is estimated the entire trail will cost approximately $4.97 million. Maintenance of the proposed trail is likely to cost in the order of $57,570 per year (a rate of approximately $2,275/km).
Increased visitor numbers in the order of 6,000 will inject in excess of $600,000/year into the Shire’s economy. Local use rates of over 13,000 people/year will see the injection of an additional $27,000/year (meaning a total injection of over $635,000/year).
Given the discontinuities of the former railway corridor, and the absence of viable alternatives for a continuous trail between Forrest and Birregurra, the Colac Otway Shire (and the Steering Committee) agreed with the recommendation to not proceed beyond the HOLD POINT (and to not carry out the feasibility study for the originally proposed rail trail between Forrest and Birregurra) and instead directed that a limited feasibility study for the extension of the trail to Barwon Downs be carried out.
The feasibility of extending the existing trail through to Barwon Downs has now been examined in detail, and the results are set out in the report. In summary, the cost is estimated to be around $544,000 (exclusive of GST), subject to the preparation of a detailed trail development plan, including inspection and evaluation of the two timber bridges. The estimated economic benefit arising from local people and visitors using the trail (and spending money in the towns and the region) is calculated to be around $550,000 per annum.
The Feasibility Study report is soon to be considered by the Colac Otway Shire, and then made available for public review.
Transplan Pty Ltd, with Mike Halliburton Associates, has been appointed to prepare a feasibility study for the proposed trail by the Goulburn Crookwell Rail Trail Inc. group.
The (56km) disused Crookwell branch line has lain idle for decades and the local committee has been proposing it be converted into a rail trail for many years.
The announcement earlier this year by the Deputy Premier of NSW that funding will be available through the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund for rail trails stimulated interest in the development of rail trails throughout NSW. Members of the local committee have worked tirelessly and assisted in the preparation of the Feasibility Study.
The final version of the Feasibility Study will be presented to the NSW Govwrnment in mid-November.