‘This will happen’: Supporters still fighting for $14m Goulburn Crookwell rail trail

Despite “progress being stalled” supporters for a $14.2 million Goulburn Crookwell rail trail are fighting for the socially and economically viable project to become a reality.

Despite “progress being stalled” supporters for a $14.2 million Goulburn Crookwell rail trail are fighting for the socially and economically viable project to become a reality.

The project is 20 years in the making and has renewed support from both Goulburn Mulwaree and Upper Lachlan Shire Council, local residents, landholders and tourism operators.

A parliamentary petition for the 54km rail trail launched by local member Wendy Tuckerman last year garnered 1332 signatures.

Wendy Tuckerman meets with McComas Taylor and Mark Bradbury of the Friends of the Goulburn Crookwell Rail Trail.

The goal of the petition was to “urge the state government to now close the rail corridor, approve the project, and reinstate funding support to enable delivery in the short term.”

Just last week, the petition received a response by Deputy Premier Minister Regional NSW Paul Toole.

Mr Toole said he is “in support of the Goulburn to Crookwell trail and for the progression of other rail trails across NSW.”

However it noted that supporters will have to wait a little longer for the outcome.

“An evaluation of two pilot rail trails have been commissioned and the findings will help determine the NSW Government position on any further proposals,” Mr Toole said.

The two “pilot” rail trails are a 22km section between Tumbarumba and Rosewood in the Riverina opened last year and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which is in the early stages of development.

They are the only two rail trails in NSW that have been built on the rail corridor, while Victoria has nearly 50, and Tasmania 19.

McComas Taylor, the coordinator for a lobbyist group launched last year called Friends of the Goulburn Crookwell Rail Trail (FGCRT), would like to see progress speed up.

Friends of the Goulburn Crookwell Rail Trail inspect the track. It runs from Goulburn station due north almost to the Goulburn Correctional Centre, winds cross country up to Midland road and down to Crookwell.

“We’re concerned about the fact that there’s been discussion of a rail trail for a while now, but it seemed that progress has stalled,” Mr Taylor said.

“We’re a group of members of the public who support the idea of a rail trail and we’ve come together to see if we can hasten it.”

The 54km disused line opened in 1902, with operations ceasing in 1985.

Supporters hope it can be used by walkers, runners and cyclists, and the FGCRT have a particular image in mind.

“Families, international tourists and locals will be able to enjoy picnic facilities and well-equipped camping grounds along the trail,” the group stated on its Facebook page.

“A regular shuttle service will carry cyclists back to their starting point where they will enjoy top-class facilities, including bike-shops, cafes, restaurants and B & Bs.”

The Feasibility Report for the rail trail mentions the injection from locals, day trips and overnight visitors could be $3.4M each year following completion.

“There’s so many good economic opportunities for land holders along the way. Farm state glamping, accommodation, food stalls, coffee trucks,” Mr Taylor said.

The only issue with the rail trail is to do with biodiversity concerns for some nearby landholders, which Ms Tuckerman outlined to The Bowral News.

“While I am pleased to support the petition for the Goulburn-Crookwell Rail Trail and all the tourism benefits the proposed project will bring, significant work remains on the proponents behalf in terms of engagement with landholders – particularly with those biosecurity concerns.”

The track is on an easement that’s 30 metres wide, and cuts through private property which landowners have been able to use since the railway was abandoned.

“There are a number of land holders that are very happy with guide for rail trail, there are also a number of land holders that are currently very unhappy,” Mr Taylor said.

“Now, obviously biosecurity is a big issue. If those pests and diseases get into the seed potato crop, or affect cattle breeders, that could be very, very bad for the local area, and of course, we don’t want that.”

One of 30 yellow bikes distributed by Friends of the Goulburn Crookwell rail trail around the district, to promote discussion about the rail trail. Picture: Niki Iliagoueva

FGCRT is currently working through this.

“We are currently working with Local Land Services to address these problems. We’re sure that we can find equitable solutions to the land holders perfectly legitimate worries about biosecurity and that this rail trail will then go ahead to benefit the entire community.

“In discussion with landowners, the planners will put in underpasses or overpasses or grids so that landowners can move stock and machinery freely anywhere in the property as they have always done.

“So the net inconvenience for them will be zero.”

FGCRT will be continuing there work to make sure the rail trail materialises sooner rather than later.