Once again the Examiner has published a one-sided story promoting the proposed bike trail in the North East Railway corridor from Launceston to Scottsdale.

http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4521727/trail-expansion-closer/?cs=5312

This is reminiscent of the Examiner’s biased support for the pulp mill proposal – and look what happened with that. The paper would do better to do some actual journalism, instead of regurgitating announcements from the proponents of the bike trail, and actually investigate the issues and concerns of North-east residents and the relative benefits of alternative proposals for the use of the railway corridor.

There is no attempt to provide balance in this story, although there has been a well-organised group of residents and farmers (NERAF) who have objected to this development for two years. There was never any attempt by State or local government at serious consultation with the hundreds of adjoining landholders affected by the proposed change of use of the corridor. The government railroaded the legislation through Parliament, effectively riding roughshod over residents who have some very serious concerns. Many residents have been living with the railway line beside or through their properties for decades, even generations, and do not wish to see it become effectively a public road, providing access to all and sundry (including motor bikes which cannot practically be excluded), threats to assets and livestock, as well as the consequent loss of privacy and peaceful enjoyment of their homes.

Furthermore, the bike trail proposal is largely based on unsubstantiated assumptions, such as:

• recouping the cost of removing the line through sale of materials when the resale value is less than the cost of removal,
• projected numbers of bike users based on unrelated population densities in other states and countries,
• expected revenues and economic benefits when cyclists spend very little and would pay nothing towards the cost of establishing and maintaining a bike path.

Dorset Council has refused to monitor user numbers for the existing section of bike trail from Scottsdale to Billycock Hill, probably because of the negligible numbers of cyclists using it, not to mention those who won’t return because of the damage caused to their bike tyres by the surface. The Council has its eyes on a grant which will only go to contractors from outside the area and not nearly cover the costs of converting the railway to a bike path, while the balance will be paid by Dorset ratepayers.

Many residents would prefer the railway was reinstated as a working line and have given their support to the alternative proposal by Launceston and North East Railway (L&NER) to operate a heritage passenger rail service between Launceston and Scottsdale. This group (previously known as Diesel Traction Tasmania) and its plans are not new since they have been quietly working towards this end since being denied access to the line by Pacific National in 2004. L&NER’s members include skilled and qualified railway personnel who are familiar with the line, have inspected it recently and stated it to be in good condition with relatively minor works required to reinstate it. Considerable materials and in-kind contributions have already been pledged for repair of bridges and replacement of some sleepers. The group has also obtained rolling stock, including diesel engines and a heritage railcar which is being restored to a comfortable standard for tourist excursions.

Many Tasmanians have historical family associations with the railway, or simply fond memories of seeing trains on the Scottsdale line and do not wish to see this valuable infrastructure lost to the State. A tourist rail venture in NE Tasmania would be part of a state-wide collection of railway services which are already attracting many railway enthusiasts and everyday visitors who wish to enjoy a heritage rail experience through our beautiful countryside. It’s a pity the train proposal is not getting a fair hearing that would allow Tasmanians to weigh up the benefits of different options for using the rail corridor before these valuable assets and infrastructure are destroyed.
Rossi – Railway resident Lilydale