Rail Trail proposal for bushfire relief in Eastern Riverina

Eastern Riverina rail trail advocates with Mick Veitch MLC and Jo Haylen MP at the Gundagai Railway Station last month.

The development of rail-trails could bring a significant economic boost to fire-ravaged communities in the Eastern Riverina region after the catastrophic fire season.

Committee members of Wagga Rail Trail Inc. and other trail advocates in the region, recently met with the Shadow Minister for Trade, Rural Roads, and Rural Affairs Mick Veitch and Shadow Minister for Active Transport Jo Haylen to discuss trail proposals along the disused Wagga to Tumbarumba and Cootamundra to Batlow rail corridors.

Subsequently, Wagga Rail Trail Inc. has presented a proposal for development of the Wagga to Tumbarumba Rail Trail to the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, suggesting the development of this trail should form part of the NSW Government’s response to help the affected communities of Tumbarumba, Rosewood, Humula and Tarcutta to recover from the recent devastating bushfires.

The 110km trail would fill the gap between the soon to be opened Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail and the Wagga to Forest Hill cycleway currently being constructed by Wagga Wagga City Council as part of their Active Travel Plan. When complete, this 10km section will form the first leg of the Wagga Rail Trail.

The benefits of multi-use recreational trails in creating jobs, stimulating local economies and delivering long term quality of life and tourism benefits was highlighted to the Premier.

Rail trails are a proven stimulus to help bushfire affected regional economies to recover, with the Great Victorian Rail Trail doing just that after being funded in the wake of the catastrophic Victorian bushfires in 2009.

Member for Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, MP has also been lobbied for his support and advocacy for this trail proposal.