Rail Trails for NSW is a non profit incorporated association run by volunteers who are interested in shared, motor vehicle free pathways for people who walk, run, push prams, roll in wheelchairs or ride bicycles and people who ride horses or walk with pack animals (where feasible) in NSW and local busnesses, agencies and people that these activities interact with.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES FOR RAIL TRAILS FOR NSW
The formal Objectives of the association (Rail Trails for NSW) are;
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- Foster the development of rail trails in NSW
- Communicate the economic, tourism, heritage and health opportunities of rail trails in NSW
- Advocate with all levels of government on the establishment of rail trails in NSW
- Support the establishment of local ‘friends of rail trails’ groups or rail trail committees of management in NSW
We define a rail trail as…
‘… a motor vehicle free shared pathway on a rail foundation, where the tracks are removed and a suitable walking and cycling surface is laid, where most of the bridges, tunnels, cuttings and embankments are repaired if feasible and used for the pathway. Ideally they should be suitable for prams and wheelchairs too, and where possible and desired, for horses and pack animals as well.’
General principles;
- Regional & rural communities deserve new opportunities. Rail Trails for NSW will assist local communities to unlock economic and social benefits through the re-purposing of out of service rail corridors.
- Rail Trails for NSW supports the retention of rail routes in public ownership.
- Rail Trails for NSW supports rail transport. Only rail lines that have not been used for a considerable time (e.g. 10 years or more) and/or have no future rail services planned should be used for a rail trail.
- Rail Trails are community assets that need the support of their local community and Local Government to succeed.
- Rail Trails for NSW supports the relocation of a rail trail occupying a publicly owned route if in the future it becomes economically or socially viable to reinstate a rail service.
- There are over 3,100 kilometres of out of service rail corridors throughout NSW. Not all of those kilometres are suitable for converting into excellent rail trails.
- Rail Trails for NSW advocates for the creation of ‘trail on rail’ shared pathways (were the pathway replaces the tracks and sleepers).
- Rail Trails for NSW advocates for the shared pathway to be suitable for walkers, runners, people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters, people pushing prams and people on bicycles and where circumstances are suitable, horses and other pack animals (Depending on local conditions and the decisions of the local community and Rail Trail Committee).
