The winner of the Merida Mountain bike courtesy of 99 Bikes in our great raffle in 2019 was Maurice Wilson of Corowa. Congratulations Maurice and our sincere thanks to 99 Bikes for their support.

 

THE fight to save the Manilla viaduct has been renewed with top engineers roped-in to argue for its survival.

It could mean a rail trail around Manilla is back on the cards as the community rallies to make the small town a tourist destination.

But the uphill battle to save the unique landmark remains.

READ MORE:

• Rail Trails for NSW chairman John Moore visits Manilla to discuss rail trail
• Tamworth rail trail opposed by NSW Farmers citing biosecurity concerns
• Manilla viaduct gets people-power backing via petition

Advocacy group, Rail Trails for NSW has drafted Engineering Heritage Australia committee member Frank Johnson write a report calling on the NSW government to recognise the bridge’s state significance.

Mr Johnson will lobby for the viaduct to be added to the state heritage register.

It mightn’t see the viaduct made completely immune from demolition, but it could offer greater protection and buy some more time.

Mr Johnson believed there was a strong case for granting state heritage.

“It was certainly was instrumental in opening up the area,” he said.

“It’s very significant at almost half-a-kilometre long its position in the town providing backdrop to the showground make it a very visible part of Manilla.

“And most bridges are straight because that’s the easiest way to construct and maintain one … Manilla does have that added nice, sweeping curve.”

The curve in the bridge adds weight to Manilla’s case from engineering and aesthetic perspectives.

While the region’s earlier bid for a rail trail was met with hostile opposition from some parts of the community, Rail Trails for NSW chairman John Moore said the state was missing out and falling behind the rest of the world.

“Every conceivable objection has been solved,” he said.

“Failing to pursue these trails is costing NSW a lot of money; the lines are sitting there and not bringing revenue into the localities or the state.”

Mr Moore recently showed the community what a revamped viaduct could look like, drawing on inspiration from the New York High Line.

(From: https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/6312636/rail-trail-bid-regathers-momentum-in-new-england-town/ )

Construction has begun on the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail. An enthusiastic crowd turned out at Tumbarumba on 17 April 2019 to witness the first soil being turned on the construction of the 21 kilometre trail linking Tumbarumba to Rosewood.

Construction is due to be completed early in 2020, making this the first Rail Trail in NSW to be constructed on a closed railway corridor, and hopefully the first of many in NSW.

John Moore, Rail Trails for NSW Chairman, was recently interviewed on Radio 2GB about rail trails. To listen to the interview use the audio player below.

An article on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail from the Northern Star newspaper on 2nd April 2018:

https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/world-class-32million-rail-trail-proposed/3374609/ .

The North Rivers Rail Trail website has been revamped, and includes some Case Studies written by Arianne Reis, Southern Cross University, NSW AU showing the economic benefits of rail trails in New Zealand, Australia and America. The Case Studies mention the 22 “Great Rides” of New Zealand, the more than 100 rail trails around Australia, and the “widest and longest web of rail trails in the world, with more than 14,000 rail trails” in the United States.

For rail trail groups looking for inspiration or the general public checking on the rail trail’s progress, it’s well worth taking a look at the Northrn Rivers Rail Trail website.

 

http://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/4820832/could-a-rail-trail-rejuvenate-the-region

With some great images if the viaduct in Manilla from the Leaders photographer, Gareth Gardner.

  

 

manilla express 1 august 2017

The NSW Upper House passed amendments almost unanimously (35 FOR and only 2 against) to the ‘TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT (CLOSURE OF RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN ROSEWOOD AND TUMBARUMBA) BILL 2017’

The amendment was moved by the Hon. Mick Veitch MLC, a consistent advocate for rail trails in our state. It gained great support not only within the Labor Party but across the political spectrum.

We thank the Labor Party, Mick Veitch, Jodi McKay and Penny Sharpe for this important amendment which gets the process RIGHT for this and future rail trails, ensuring these valuable routes are retained in public ownership for generations to come. See the attached press release.

This outcome will restore the faith of many Rail Trail supporters around the State in our Parliamentary system. It demonstrates that multiple parties can deliver outcomes that will benefit the people of regional NSW and thus all the citizens of NSW.

Rail Trails for NSW also thanks the local member for Albury, Mr Greg Aplin (Lib) for his great support and work in helping bring the Tumba rail trail so close to fruition.  We also thank the Government of NSW, for initiating and backing the pilot rail trail process. There have been many Government members, both Liberal and National Party, who’ve worked to bring it this far, including former Deputy Premier Stoner,  current Deputy Premier Barilaro, Minister Constance and former Transport Minister now Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Special thanks to the former member for Ballina, Don Page.

Rail Trails must also acknowledge and thank The Christian Democrats, who have been consistent yet quiet achievers. Their practical advice, good counsel and assistance has been most appreciated and been a great help in bringing about this great outcome for the people of NSW.

We must also acknowledge and give great thanks to the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail team, their local council and all their supporters in and around the Tumbarumba district.

This is their success and it is no ‘overnight’ event.  Several of the the Tumba to Rosewood team have been working to bring the rail trail into reality for almost 14 years!   Congratulations.  

And thank you dear supporter of NSW rail trails. There is still a long way to go and you can still help mightily,

by ensuring the Tumba to Rosewood rail trail is a great success and

by being active supporters of your local rail trail team wherever it is around this large and beautiful state.