Watching rail trail to and fro
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Watching the to and fro regarding the use of the track for walking and cycling, there are very good points either way. Most of the heat seems to be around the removal of the actual track. This is a very valid point as resources diminish globally and demand soars. We can expect mines to develop along this corridor, not to mention changes in Ag production. Who would have predicted the tomato factory, 20 years ago? Who knows where fuel costs will go, beyond peak oil?
My previous experience making and maintaining 100’s of kilometres of roads on an outback cattle station, makes me wonder why a track can’t be graded beside the line, and a thin gravel strip 2 mtrs wide laid on the surface. The track can be 3mtrs, but the walking, riding section would be sufficient surfaced at 2mtrs.
We used our roads as fire breaks as well, and I could see this serving that purpose. For this reason it would be positioned between the bitumen and the line. We would back burn with a drip lighter off a quad bike which could easily travel on this proposed track - in the right conditions of course. I speak with the experience of 35 years as a fire captain, and a cattleman.
The issues to be resolved I believe, would be the specifications and cost of that surface, and the funding to achieve it. Part of this may be raised by sponsorship and donation if it is kept sensible and reasonable.
The fence crossings also require some thought and workshopping with the stakeholders . Eg gates or grids, etc. - we are talking bike grids, not road trains.
I believe there is a lot of educational opportunity, not just for our flora and fauna, but also what agriculture is doing. With relevant research, I would support this proposal.
Richard Makim
Ben Lomond
PS: For 4 years I did ride an old Malvern Star (no gears) to school. Five miles it was then, on bush dirt roads, that varied from red to black soil with some sand, so have an idea what is needed and suitable.
We need to be realistic
I would like to write in support of the proposed rail trail. We lived in Melbourne for a number of years and the benefits of the rail trails in Victoria were enormous. They increased tourism, fitness and helped form communities. People would meet new people and groups would form which would never have done otherwise.
We need to be realistic – Australia’s economy is slowing down – the government is not going to spend enormous sums of money on train lines that have to be rebuilt. What will keep Guyra going when things get tougher?
Tourism is the greatest asset this region could have. Jobs increase and young people can spend time out of doors instead of spending their time on computers.
If the rail trail is established, the corridor is kept open and maintained if ever the trains do come back. At present the lines are deteriorating - we saw cattle grazing on the lines and they were breaking down the embankments with their hooves.
Also I remember when there was an option of the Inland Rail line running through Guyra, members of the community expressed concerns as to the safety of a train running through the centre of town, with a child-care centre on the line and the risks to small children
So, come on Guyra, the benefits far outweigh any negatives. Let’s support this and see Guyra grow.
Esther Wischer
Guyra