Over the last twelve months or so there has been a lot of discussion in the press and on social media about the proposed Boorowa Galong Rail Trail (BGRT). Unfortunately the quality and accuracy of this information has varied from spot on to completely wrong.
The purpose of this article is to provide quality, accurate information to inform locals prior to them being involved in the community consultations session being hosted by Hilltops Council in Boorowa and Galong or participating in the online survey available on the Hilltops Council website.
Facts.
• The funding for the construction will not come from Hilltops Council funds. The funding for a project manager and all construction costs including fencing along both sides of the trail corridor will be sought from State and Federal Government and/or private philanthropic funds through applying for grants.
• The Rail Trail will not compete for funding for the construction of the proposed new water pipeline to Boorowa. The two activities will be seeking funding from totally different “buckets of money
• Once constructed the cost of maintaining the boundary fences will be the responsibility of the landowner as dictated by NSW legislation and currently applies to all boundary fences of private land that border public lands. (Think roadside fences). The high quality of the fencing proposed should mean they require minimal attention for 30-40 years.
• The maintenance of the rail trail will be the responsibility of Hilltops Council but the cost can be covered in many ways. This could be investing the money from the sale of the rail tracks and sleepers and dedicating it and the interest earned to meeting the cost of maintenance OR involving community groups to assist with the minor maintenance of the track to reduce costs OR using funds raised from events held on the track to support the maintenance costs. The other alternative is to seek funding support from grant. High quality construction will minimise maintenance costs.
• The overall responsibility for the rail trail will rest with Hilltops Council as they will hold the lease over the corridor. The day to day management structure for the rail trail has not yet been determined but can take one of the following formats
• Run by Hilltops Council
• Run jointly by Hilltops Council and a community group
• Run by a community group (who report to the Hilltops Council)
• Landholders’ concerns/issues have been heard and many attempts to answer them have occurred. This will continue throughout the process and their individual requirements regarding access will be addressed. The concerns expressed by local adjacent landholders are similar to the concerns of adjacent landholders of any rail trail and history shows that these can all be adequately dealt with to avoid the consequences feared by the landholders.
• The Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail has resulted in the establishment and/or expansion of 10 businesses between the two towns including cafes, Air BnB, bike rental/repairs and tourism centred gift shops.
• Whilst a few of the landholders adjacent to the rail corridor have expressed concern, a number of landholders are keen for the project to proceed. One is a member of the BGRT committee and another looks forward to the opportunity to showcase modern agriculture to city based rail trail users.
• The Feasibility Study commissioned by the BGRT committee in June 2022 and funded by the Hilltops Council and Galong Progress Association confirmed that the Boorowa Galong Rail Trail was both technically and economically viable with projections of $2.9 million dollars in economic benefits to the Hilltops region.
Other information
• Hilltops Council in its 2025-2030 Economic Development Strategy has indicated a commitment to assisting and progressing local businesses as well as to the development of the Boorowa Galong Rail Trail.
• Currently there are only 2 established rail trails in NSW, Tumbarumba to Rosewood and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail both well supported by locals and visitors from around Australia. The users of these trails are keen to have more opportunities to use rail trails.
• The Rail Trail will provide significant physical and mental health benefits for all users, both local and tourists.
• The Boorowa Galong Rail Trail when established would be the closest NSW trail to both Canberra and Sydney.
• The establishment of the Boorowa Galong Rail Trail will also result in increased tourist visits to Boorowa and Galong thus benefitting the local economy and increasing employment opportunities.
• The BGRT committee has already had two operators approach them with ideas re the hire of bikes in Boorowa and Galong.
• Any increase in business opportunities in Galong eg, hospitality venues or accommodation places will prove a boon to revitalising the village.
• The Rail Trail will present users with the opportunity to view historical sites such as Galong Cemetery, Tarengo Bridge and the railway turntable at Boorowa.
• A letter received by the BGRT committee gave a glowing report from their family’s enjoyment of many trail trails in NZ and throughout Australia stating “these trails consistently demonstrate their ability to boost local tourism, support regional businesses and create sustainable economic activity in rural areas”. They concluded with “I urge you to continue moving forward with this project and to secure the necessary funding and approvals to bring this vision to reality”. This letter captures the sentiments expressed verbally by many locals and others who have been fortunate enough to utilise rail trails.
We urge you to make the effort to engage with the community consultation evenings and “have your say” on the council website so that everyone’s opinion regards the rail trail is captured during this community consultation period.
On behalf of the Boorowa Galong Rail Trail Committee.
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