Glen Innes Severn Council Met on 23rd March 2023 and discussed a Desk Top Report prepared for the council by NSW Dept of Public Works.

Here is a summary from the GISC agenda on Rail Trail 

Recommendation to GISC by the Director of Infrastructure Services -Keth Appleby

Council progresses the  lease arrangements and commence the design process for the construction and on going operation of the NERT between Glen Innes and Ben Lomond

It mentions GISC Resolution dated 20.3.2020 by which it reviewed draft business case prepared by Regional Development Australia Northern Inland(RDANI) and endorsed further action to form  governance structure for oversight and bring Rail Trail to commencement, design and project planning.  Governance structure to include ARC, GISC,NERT.  Responsibilities are scoping the project, advice to council re management of the transfer of rail corridor, and commission a detailed business case including whole of life costs for maintaining the track.  Commission a study on the potential economic value added from the RT,  Advice council on the financial and economic impacts of RT, Prepare land tenure and funding applications.  Allocate $25,000 in 2020-21 operational plan for the determination of construction costs.

19.11.2020 Resolution

Mention three applications for the Bushfire Local economic recovery Funding including one for the Rail Trail.  Application for the RT was successful but a grant deed has not yet been entered into.

Mention about the Rail Trail Bill 2022 and the availability of rail corridor land  for recreation, tourism and related purposes.

GISC requested the NSW Public Works Advisory to provide a desktop review of the RT project.  It is attached to the Agenda papers.

RT project originally proposed a six meter corridor within the wider corridor. Council has been advised by the Public works Advice that the full width of the corridor must be taken up for the project.(the photo from Parramatta light rail project shows the cycking and walking path only requires 3 meters next to the railway tracks with a dividing fence though?)

Desk top Report provides an overview of revised project costs, risks, timeline for delivery. Takes advantage of lessons learned during the construction of Northern Rivers Rail Trail that opened in March 2023.  That project was managed by the authors of the desk top report i.e. NSW public works.

Report provides a comprehensive overview of the project issues and risks. In some cases, they have been noted by GISC but not fully addressed. e.g. full funding, budget.    It noted increased project costs and some new issues.

Application for further Bushfire funding can be made

Length of rail trail is 35.5kms. Second path for horse rising is deferred.

Public Works recommends additional funding of 25% as contingency.

Public Works Advice is available to deliver the project as manager on Council’s behalf.

Ongoing maintenance cost $50,000 p.a. Depreciation $50000 p.a

Risks: see risk matrix in the dear top review report.

RT provides significant uplift in social capacity by creating new opportunities for group cycling in a safe and pleasant environment.

Original RT feasibility study(this may be Halliburton study?) suggests 8 full time jobs.  2 million visitor expenditure.

This Desk top report was prepared in consultation with the funding body(NSW Dept of Regional NSW) and NSW PWA.

Further information see link to Delivery Program CS 1.1.3. -Community Services Principal Activity

In view of the above, we may need to organise a private meeting with our rail supporters in Glen Innes in about a week’s time or so to discuss next steps. e.g. petition to the new Minister of regional transport and roads.

We will discuss this further in our rail group meeting on coming Thursday(venue and time to be advised)

If anyone likes a copy of the Desktop Study Report it is available with the agenda paper as attachment to the GISC meeting held on 23rd March 2023.