U-turn on NE Rail Trail
By Rachel Williams
Debate on the North East Rail Trail has gone from one extreme to another.
A controversial notice of motion to remove the $5.14 million Scottsdale-Lilydale concept from Dorset Council’s priority projects list has been withdrawn and a major policy re-route is instead being proposed.
Dorset Council will next Monday vote on a recommendation to expand the Rail Trail priority project in a bid to promote a “City to the Sea development”.
Mayor Rhys Beattie had been furious that Councillors spent an hour discussing Cr Wendy McLennan’s bid to take the trail off Council’s priority project list last month, saying it would cause reputational damage at a regional scale, in particular with City of Launceston.
After the matter was deferred to a workshop, the project will now return to the Council next week after being taken down a different track.
Cr Beattie said Councillors would be asked to support the development of a staged vision for the North East Rail Trail “as part of a broader picture of a regional interconnected recreational trail and adventure network”.
“The project to date has largely been viewed as a singular product offering and standalone project. There is potential to develop a “City to the Sea” regional multi-use trail network that connects forest roads, rail trails, mountain bike networks and unsealed roads and tracks across the North East,” Cr Beattie said.
“Stage 3 of the North East Rail Trail represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to realise this broader vision.
“By connecting Dorset with Lilydale, and one day ideally Launceston, and extending links towards Break O’Day, we can create a seamless “City to the Sea” trail experience that positions the North East as a world-class destination for cycling, walking and multi-day adventures.
“This networked approach enables multiple “trail towns” across the region, allowing visitors to step on and off the experience at different points, stay longer, travel further, and distribute spending more widely across our local communities.”
No money has been committed by any political party to the Stage 3 concept and an original Federal Government grant of more than $1m was lost last year because it was not spent in time.
City of Launceston has agreed to investigate support for the trail works within its municipality, a major issue historically from Dorset ratepayers who couldn’t see value in funding works at areas such as Lilydale Falls car park in CoL’s boundary.
CoL Mayor Matthew Garwood this week confirmed CoL has undertaken detailed investigations to better understand the scope and cost of the North East Rail Trail within its municipality.
“Preliminary estimates indicate our contribution could exceed $2 million, alongside ongoing maintenance and environmental management costs,” Cr Garwood said.
“We’ve been clear in our in-principle support for the project given its regional benefits, but equally we have a
responsibility to fully understand the financial, legal and infrastructure implications before committing ratepayer funds.
“This is a project with strong regional potential, and it’s important all partners remain at the table to work through the challenges and opportunities together in a considered, collaborative way.”
Cr McLennan said that after reviewing feedback from the workshop she decided to withdraw the motion.
“I am (now) satisfied that unfinished projects such as the Scottsdale Railway Precinct and the rail trail from Scottsdale will be extended to Legerwood and beyond and will be included into the priority projects,” she said
“I am also assured that other projects such as the Scottsdale Pool and the Dorset Future Ready master planning and community planning will involve all constituents to contribute to their future and enable Dorset to withstand the economic and cost of living climate that we are now living in.”
The North East Tasmania Chamber of Commerce welcomed Cr McLennan’s decision, after initially expressing strong concern about leadership and direction “at a time when the region needs certainty and progress”.
Chamber Chair Fiona Auton said the Chamber remains committed to the Stage 3 plan as listed in both the Council and their strategic plan as it was a researched and a proven direction for the region.
“It is good to see Cr McLennan has retracted what seemed an impulsive motion to put forward,” she said.
“Tourism planning and investment is an essential move for the region’s future and the Chamber is interested to hear what this next chapter could look like. This said, the timely delivery of the current strategic plan and priorities document should remain councillor’s prime focus.”