Rail Trail Information Sessions in the Upper Hunter

Merriwa Railway Station

Work has commenced on the preparation of a feasibility study to establish whether it is possible to develop a recreation trail on the disused railway between Merriwa and Sandy Hollow, with a possible extension to Denman.

“Rail trails”(as they are known) have a long history in the USA and the first Australian rail trail was developed in WA over 25 years ago. There are now over 100 rail trails in Australia, built primarily on publicly owned land. They bring numerous benefits to host communities and are a vital piece of community infrastructure. They are designed for “non-motorised” users - cyclists, walkers, runners, parents pushing prams, horse rider, people in wheelchairs. They can also be used for events such as fun runs. One of their key advantages is that they offer safe, flat routes away from dangerous roads – many rail trail users (particularly family groups) are not people who cycle on roads due to traffic. Rail trails traverse a variety of urban and rural landscapes including farms and paddocks, vineyards, forests and wetlands – users appreciate the opportunity to travel through and enjoy this range of landscapes.

The Upper Hunter Shire Council and Muswellbrook Shire Council have commissioned the feasibility study to investigate the practicalities, challenges and potential benefits from developing the trail. The work is in response to the NSW Government’s announcement in 2014 that it had made funding available for the development of rail trails in NSW.

The study has now entered a critical stage with a series of community consultation events to take place in mid August.

The consultants, Mike Halliburton Associates and Transplan Pty Ltd, will host a number of ‘Open Houses’ where members of the community can drop in and discuss the project with the consultants. Representatives of the two Councils – Upper Hunter Shire Council and Muswellbrook Shire Council (which are funding the study) will also be present to discuss the project.

The study is in the process of assessing the works required to develop the rail trail, the costs associated with the construction and the potential economic and other benefits that the trail would bring to the region and users of the trail.

The dates and places for the ‘Open Houses’ are:

• Sandy Hollow – 9.00am - 11.00am - Tuesday August 11th at Sandy Hollow Hall.
• Merriwa – 2.00pm– 7.00pm - Tuesday August 11th at Merriwa RSL Club.
• Denman – 2.00pm– 7.00pm - Wednesday August 12th at Denman Memorial Hall.
The purpose of these sessions is to provide information about the project via a display and one-on-one conversations with the consultants and Council representatives as well as providing an opportunity for community members to ask questions.

Please make a diary note of these sessions! By attending, you have the opportunity to contribute to the future development of the proposed rail trail. Do not miss the chance to have your say.

For further information, please contact Sean Constable on 0265401135.