Rail trail passes parliament without any opposition

By Taylor Clyne
December 04, 2019

The highly discussed projects for the disused rail corridor spanning 64 kilometres from Scottsdale to Coldwater Creek has passed parliament with no objections.
Those in support of the bike trail and heritage train are now a larger step closer to actually getting on with their projects following years of unrest regarding its use.
The compromise decision was first decided by the State Government in July 2018 and supported by Legislative Council after a complex inquiry was held earlier this year.
Corridor notices to consider the official managers for two sections of the non-operational line were tabled in parliament on October 16, 2019.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said the main legislation passed parliament without any opposition and have been approved by the minister.
“There was no move to disallow the notices by any parliamentarian during the tabling period, disallowances would have blocked the notices from taking effect.
“The corridor notices enables both Dorset Council and the Launceston and North-East Rail (L&NER) organisation to move forward with their respective plans,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Dorset Council will establish a cycleway on the Scottsdale to Lilydale Falls section of the North-East rail line, with a new walking and cycle pathway to be created adjacent to the road between Lilydale Falls and Lilydale.
“To facilitate heritage rail, the section from Lilydale to Turners Marsh will be offered to L&NER as the first stage.
“This will allow the proponents, L&NER, to gain accreditation and operate a heritage rail service which they have long argued they can deliver through volunteer effort and ticket pricing. 
“Subject to successful completion of the first stage, the section from Turners Marsh to Coldwater Creek will also be made available,” Mr Ferguson explained.
The section of the line between Lilydale Falls to Lilydale and between Lilydale to Turners Marsh will be temporality retained by TasRail under a pre-existing administrative arrangement.
“Coldwater Creek is the junction of the non-operational North-East Line and the main operational line between Launceston and Bell Bay.
“Subject to the proponents gaining accreditation from the National Rail Safety Regulator, access to the operational line will also be considered,” Mr Ferguson said.
The department has notified both groups of the approval.
It’s believed the Dorset Council will be appointed corridor managers of their section of the line in February 2020 with L&NER being appointed two months later in April.
Once both groups are in control of the line, they will be able to lodge their development applications and, subject to approvals, projects can finally get underway.