The New England Rail Trail (NERT) committee have been working hard to obtain funding to repurpose the abandoned rail corridor north of Armidale as a mixed use heritage rail trail for walking, cycling and horse trekking. There are still legislative and funding hurdles to cross, but the momentum is building.
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Seeing $16 million injected into Victoria’s Alpine Shire by cycle-tourism and $12 million into the Otago economy by a rail trail attracts the attention of more than cyclists. It attracts the attention of anyone keen to diversify rural and regional economies.
Enthusiastic Guyra bike shop owner and President of NERT David Mills said that New England has a potential tourism bonanza quietly decaying between Armidale and the Queensland border.
Rail trail tourism is booming in other Australian states and New Zealand and he believes that the New England is in a prime position to also capitalise on rail trail tourism and cycle-tourism which complement each other.
“It is one of Australia’s most historical rail corridors dating back to the 1880’s,” he said. “It has not seen regular train services for more than 26 years and is unlikely to see them again in the foreseeable future. There is real potential for Northern Tablelands abandoned rail corridor to be repurposed in stages into Australia’s longest and highest rail trail.”
“Rail trails are much more than bike-ways, they are also business boosters,” he said. “Rail trails build community, generate jobs and help conserve rail heritage.”
“Many people are astounded and surprised at the positive impact the rail trails have had on their towns and we are very keen for the Northern Tablelands to gain the same benefits.”
“Rural and regional tourism is seeing big benefits from rail trails and we believe we would see similar benefits here,” Mr Mills added.
Rail trails have a 20 year record of success in Victoria where there are over 800km of well used rail trails attracting cyclists, walkers, horse-trekkers from far afield. Rail trails have a 50 year history in the U.S.A. where there are over 34,000 km of repurposed rail corridors.
Interested parties now have an opportunity see the benefits first hand. An invitation has been extended to visit a Victorian rail trail located in the Mansfield Shire. It will provide an opportunity to discuss the pros and cons and see how it has impacted on the 210 landowners who properties are situated along the trail.
“Bring on the rail trail,” Mr Mills said. “The evidence is overwhelming that it will bring jobs, new business, health and heritage benefits to the region.”
