Transplan's Trail Log

Mike Maher, Director of Transplan Pty Ltd, will be making a presentation to the Rail Trails for NSW workshop on Tuesday August 26th. Around 80 – 100 rail trail advocates from throughout NSW will gather in Sydney to push for the development of rail trails in NSW (on publicly owned disused railway lines). Mike will outline the reasons why a trail feasibility study is needed to make the case for the development of a rail trail, and will also detail what goes into the preparation of a trail development plan.

Transplan Pty Ltd is working with Mike Halliburton Associates on the preparation of a feasibility study for a proposed rail trail near Newcastle in NSW. The client is the City of Newcastle. The privately owned former coal railway is soon to be handed over to public agencies for future management. Developing a rail trail is a highly probable use of the former railway. The route between Kurri Kurri and Hexham (on the outskirts of Newcastle) features three original brick lined tunnels, two timber trestle bridge, a number of smaller bridges, and traverses a variety of landscapes including farmland, forested areas and the Hexham Wetlands.

The Tumbarumba Shire Council, in conjunction with the local rail trail committee, has submitted an application to the NSW Government for funding of the proposed rail trail between Tumbarumba and Rosewood. Cost estimates prepared by Council staff indicate that it will cost in the order of $4.9 million (allowing for all contingencies including the provision of new bridges, removal of the existing steel track, a sealed surface, all possible future permits and environmental studies, and project management of construction).

The Queensland Government is seeking to partner with Queensland councils, with closed or non-operational rail corridors in their area, to expand the state’s rail trail network.

Who can apply? The grants program will only be available to councils, as government entities which can hold tenure over the rail trail corridors.

Applications will only be permitted for rail corridors which no longer have operating railways. The Department of Transport and Main Roads will also need to agree that the corridor is no longer needed for rail purposes and can be converted to a recreational rail trail. The state will invite expressions of interest from councils with suitable rail trail proposals.

Community support: The Government recognised that recreational groups and the community have played an important part in developing and maintaining the existing network of rail trails in Queensland. New rail trail proposals which can demonstrate clear support from local businesses and community groups will be welcomed.

For more information see: http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/infrastructure-and-planning/recreational-rail-trail-grants-program.html

The Murrindindi Shire Council (Victoria) has appointed Transplan Pty Ltd to prepare a feasibility study for a trail between Alexandra, Thornton and Eildon – to link with the existing Great Victorian Rail Trail. The Council has received a grant from the Advancing Country Towns program of the Victorian Government.

The Project Brief makes the point that the study should evaluate the options against the following parameters:
o Attraction – the quality of the trail user’s experience of the natural, cultural and landscape values of the area.
o Financial viability – the whole of life costs (including construction) to Council of the trail extension.
o Environmental sustainability – the environmental impacts/risks associated with the construction and use of the trail.
o Land security – the complexity/ease of establishing land tenure arrangements necessary to secure the trail route.

Transplan Pty Ltd (with Mike Halliburton Associates) has been appointed by the Colac Otway Shire to prepare a feasibility study for the proposed rail trail between Forrest and Birregurra in Victoria. Already some 7km of the rail trail north of Forrest has been developed. This project will examine whether its continuation all the way to Birregurra is viable. The project brief outlines the objectives of the study as being to determine:

• The feasibility of establishing a shared-use trail on the former railway alignment between Birregurra, Deans Marsh, Barwon Downs and Forrest.
• The level of support for developing the proposed Tiger Rail Trail including from the community, landowners, tourism and business sector, and government.
• The demand for the proposed rail trail – understanding the target market, the proposed use, experiences and resultant visitation to the area particularly in light of the other existing and proposed quality trails in the region.
• The experiences that the proposed trail is best suited to offer and develop the experiences accordingly.
• The strategic fit for the development of trails including policy, strategic land use planning and literature support.
• The issues, barriers, constraints and opportunities associated with developing the proposed trail.
• The social, economic and environmental impacts and benefits of developing trails, in particular rail trails, in regional areas.
• Tourism/economic opportunities through trail development.
• A proposed route that has strong community, government and private landowner support.
• The capital cost and ongoing maintenance support required for the proposed trail, including identification of possible funding sources.
• Should the trail be considered feasible, an implementation plan with priority areas for action including the consideration of destination plans for each community along the proposed route.

The project includes a traverse of the corridor (where possible), and a thorough community engagement process involving discussions with key stakeholders including adjoining landowners.