Different Sides of the Tracks

A RAIL trail between Sandy Hollow and Merriwa should go ahead, according to a feasibility study commissioned by the Upper Hunter Shire Council and the Muswellbrook Shire Council.

The Upper Hunter Shire Council has voted to proceed with the next step of undertaking a Trail Development Plan, subject to the support of the Muswellbrook Council.

The proposed trail on the disused rail corridor would be 38 kilometres long, with the possibility of extending to Denman and would cost more than $7 million to construct, but possibly return $1,182,814 to the local community.

However, issues identified in the study include the cost of fencing the trial which is flanked by farmland, the Merriwa Railway Society’s aim to make the railway line usable again, restoring old bridges, removing the old rail lines, clearing the track and addressing the concerns of adjoining landowners.

Bryan Baker vice-president of the Merriwa Railway Society said they did not support the development of the rail trail.

“I’m very biased in terms of the railway restoration work and anything at all that will be negative to that will be a problem and any idea of a trail will result in the rail lines either being removed or covered with soil so that they will no longer exist,” said Mr Baker.

“We can’t live with that as a rail group,” he said.

“We had an open day here and there were probably 30 people, three to five people said they were supportive of the track and the balance said they were not, so on that basis I don’t understand how they could go ahead,” Bryan Baker said.

The Merriwa Railway Society aims to restore the station and a section of rail line to the Scone Road.

“We want to restore everything at the current railways site, that’s the stations the goods shoot, the turntable and all that surrounding area, that’s stage one,” said Mr Baker.

“If we can rebuild toilets and the lamp room that would be the next step, the one after that would be an engine shed and a barracks, so that’s all part of our long term programme.

“Certainly some of the younger ones in the group they’re looking beyond that to having some form of rail carriage going at least one to five kilometres along the track which will take us out onto the Scone Road.

“We need a lot more support all ‘round, we have about 40 members and approximately 28 of those are within with Merriwa district,” he said.

“My primary concern is preserving the local heritage and preserving the local heritage,” Bryan Baker said.

Another perspective on rail trails is from regular users of trails throughout Victoria and Tasmania Kerry Jarman.

Ms Jarman grew up in Scone, her dad is Dr Ken Mackay and she is excited about the prospect of returning home to ride the trail with her family.

“The first trail we rode was the Lilytown to Warburton trail with another family and it was great because the kids can ride along and there are no cars, there’s no danger, they can ride as quickly as they want and they love the rail trails because they can ride ahead,” Ms Jarman said.

“They’ve done a great job on that trail of restoring the platform, so you still get your history,” she said.

“They restore the platforms and they put little plaques and you can incorporate as much history as you want in the trails.

“We stopped in a restored train carriage along the way to have afternoon tea.

“The other good thing with kids is, trains can’t go up hills very well, so all of these trails have great gradients that are wonderful for families who can take the time to go through really nice countryside.

“We stayed overnight in the town and we ate dinner in the town and then we went back the next day and they have cafes along the trail and that’s actually their business they make business out of all of these people using the trails,” he said.

“Since then we have probably done ten rail trails around Victoria and some in Tasmania, so for us it’s a real draw card, it’s a destination we’ll go and we’ll stay in that town and go a spend a few days there,” she said.

“It takes us to areas we wouldn’t usually go, it’s a great way to explore,” Kerrie Jarman said.

Ms Jarman said she thought a rail trail in the area would be a draw card.

“I think New South Wales is really missing out,” she said.

“It would be particularly good if you teamed it with wine tasting and things that the area is renowned for, it would be great to incorporate horse riders.

“It doesn’t just have to be for tourists, it is great for locals to use,” she said.

In terms of concerns about litter and vandalism Ms Jarman said there was very little litter on any of the trails they have ridden.

“I would say people who use the trails are very respectful, there have been several trails we’ve ridden through where there are gates we’ve got to cross and the gates usually have signs on them saying ‘please leave the gates as you find them’ and people respect those instructions.

“If there is nowhere to stop people won’t stop, they are passing through, if they do stop they usually take all of their rubbish with them; you don’t see much rubbish by rail trails,” she said.

Read the feasibility study on the Upper Hunter Shire Council website: Upper Hunter Country Rail Trail Feasibility Report.