My dear Mayor and Alderman,
There has been considerable debate regarding the proposed North East Rail Trail and our group, representing 247 North East Residents and Farmers (NERAF) have objected to a ‘continuous’ cycle trail between Launceston and Scottsdale. Our primary concerns are issues relating to biosecurity, privacy and misuse of the trail.
Recent changes presented to the members of the upper house include the trail starting from Cold Water Creek. We have suggested that the rails be left in place. At its written down value, the north east rail line is valued at approximately $50 Million. As scrap, it is worth nothing, as the costs of lifting the rails and transporting them to Tassie Rails and Sleepers at Bell Bay well exceed their $70 tonne scrap value. We believe that the removal of the line is short sighted and that now, there are opportunities for tourist and heritage rail, opportunities that have been denied due to Tasrail’s intransigence in refusing them access to rail corridors – any rail corridors.
The proponents of the Rail Trail (cycle) have stated that there will be an economic benefit from cyclists travelling to the north east. Our advice is that cyclists are not the demographic likely to bring wealth. On the other hand, tourist rail from Launceston to Scottsdale would bring people with money and add one or two nights to those staying in the planned Silos hotel, Penny Royal, The Charles and the Country Club. The Minister for Infrastructure Hon Rene Hidding, does not believe that tourist rail can be profitable, notwithstanding that the Derwent Valley Railway operated at a profit until it was refused use of the rail corridor.
Our current proposal, to be debated by the Upper House this afternoon includes leaving the rails intact, providing rail access to Cold Water Creek and beyond for cyclists and allowing for the construction of a cycle trail parallel to the railway line through areas of state forests and approved private land. The proposal is similar to that outlined to the Upper House on Wednesday 14 September by the Chair of the Rail Trail (cycle) Board, Sarah Hirst, taken straight from a New Zealand model. This way The rail asset is preserved and cyclists will have rail access to the tunnel, access that would others be denied due hazards of bucks falling from the ceiling and, more importantly, insufficient ventilation.
I have attached a copy of our most recent submission to the Upper House, which will be debated this afternoon. I hope you will read it.
We are a little confused as to whether or not the Launceston Council supports the Rail Trail (cycle) or not. Considering that 37 Km of the track is in the Launceston Municipality and from what we have gleaned, the LCC has provided only $3,000 towards this multi-million dollar project.
The 130-page Bill, No 39 of 16, is seriously flawed and I doubt very much that politicians in the lower house actually read this document. A similar, more user friendly and all-embracing Bill passed by the NSW Parliament is 15 pages.
Consider which model will provide a greater economic benefit to Launceston and the North East.
Kind regards,
STUART BRYCE
Chairman
NERAF
STUART BRYCE Chairman NERAF
