Bungendore and Region
INFORMATION
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BUNGENDORE TO CAPTAINS FLAT
RAIL TRAIL  PROJECT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Since regular rail services ceased on a number of south east NSW railway lines interest has grown among cycling, equestrian, tourism and government bodies and others in adapting rail corridors for cycling, horse riding and walking.  The resulting recreational trails along the corridors are known as rail trails.
In the Capital Region the potential rail trails are: Bungendore to Captains Flat; Queanbeyan to Bombala; and Goulburn to Crookwell.  In adjoining regions proposals are being developed for Tumut to Batlow, Wagga to Tumbarumba and Oberon to Tarana rail trails.
In light of rail trails already operating in Victoria (eg. Wangaratta to Bright and in the Gippsland), SA, WA, New Zealand, the UK and the USA, the adaptation of Capital Region corridors is obviously possible.

WHAT ARE THE KEY BENEFITS?
  • trails that offer cyclists, horse riders and walkers a variety of experiences from a stroll with the dog to a 300 km touring route in southern NSW that are:
  • scenic, with stunning views of the Great Dividing Range, attracting Australian and overseas visitors
  • safe, allowing users to avoid the trucks and other high speed road traffic
  • healthy, giving local residents and all Australians the opportunity to improve their health and fitness
  • environmentally beneficial, by providing a corridor to preserve remnant bushland and grassland
  • fun !
  • significant local employment opportunities through projects like Work for the Dole and Greencorps
  • a crucial ongoing contribution to the economic sustainability to towns and villages along the route through the provision of tourism and hospitality services
  • access for landcare, bushfire control and bush and grassland conservation work
  • important local links: cyclists could extend their riding to places like Lowden Forest Park and to Majors Creek and Braidwood in the east and to Michelago and Burra in the west
  • wider links: Bicentennial National Trail, Australian Alps Walking Track, East Gippsland Rail Trail, and the Bicycle Federation of Australia’s National Cycle Tourism Network.


WHAT DOES A BUNGENDORE TO CAPTAINS FLAT RAIL TRAIL INVOLVE?
In brief, creating a 30km rail trail from Bungendore to Captains Flat involves:

  • a rail trail group assesses feasibility and addresses concerns of landholders, councils and others
  • council or other bodies assume responsibility for obtaining capital funding and initiating works
  • capital works involve path or an on road lane from Bungendore to where the old line first crosses the road and then utilising the rail corridor to Captains Flat by lifting the line or filling between the rails so there is either a hard packed dirt or bitumen path, or a combination of each.
Allan and Jack

The rail trail offers to residents opportunities for walking, relaxation, exercise, nature appreciation or simply walking the dog. Residents do use these trails: in Mundaring Shire WA, 63% of residents used walking and rail trails in the twelve months before being surveyed, nearly half used them in the previous four weeks.

An economically sustainable project like this would see a growth in demand for accommodation and supplies at Bungendore, Captains Flat. Majors Creek and Braidwood would benefit if a signed route linked these towns to the rail trail. There is no doubt that the rail trail would attract commercial tour operators and guides, as they have in NZ’s Otago Rail Trail in particular, making a further contribution to the wider economy.

DEMAND WILL GROW FOR ...

  • accommodation - farmstays, pubs, B&Bs, motels, camping grounds, cabins
  • meals - cafes, bakeries, take-aways, counter meals and sit down celebratory meals
  • shops - food, clothing, camping supplies, bicycle and horse riding equipment
  • transport - trains, buses or vans to ferry trail users to a starting point, and back home or to their cars
  • commercial tours - bicycle, horse riding and walking tours
  • guided or specialist activities - including bird watching, photography and painting groups.

VISITORS DO COME ...

  • 238 cyclists and 81 walkers were counted on one day at Bright on the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail in Victoria, with the majority staying 1 – 4 days
  • over 180,000 visitors from Perth used the Mundaring trails in a year.


AND THEY SPEND ...

  • visitors to the East Gippsland Rail Trail spent an average of $69 per day
  • Victorian trail users spent between $109 and $154 on food and beverages during their visit
  • Mundaring trail users inject as much as $10m annually into this WA Shire’s economy.

ACCESS TO THE RAIL TRAIL
Canberra, Goulburn and Queanbeyan would be major access points. Cyclists and walkers could gain access at Bungendore railway station, Canberra bus terminal, and Canberra airport.
WHAT NEXT
Residents of the area surrounding the trail have formed a steering committee to assess the potential for a rail trail and to build community support. So far, Bungendore Rotary, Captains Flat Community Association, representatives from the Hoskinstown Region Community Association and Sustainable Bungendore support the concept and are represented on the committee. The Scout Group and Public School P&C Association from Bungendore have also expressed support.

We are now consolidating community support. Next we will seek endorsement of the project from the Eastern Capital City Regional Council for undertaking a feasibility study. If this proves positive and Council agrees, it could initiate negotiations for the use of the corridor with the NSW Government and seek funding to begin the capital works.

A Bungendore to Captains Flat rail trail group would not be alone. It can draw support from other groups in the region. Pedal Power ACT has raised the proposal to develop a Monaro Rail Trail in the Queanbeyan to Bombala corridor. It is currently concentrating effort on the Queanbeyan –Williamsdale section.  A Goulburn group is seeking to raise interest in a Goulburn to Crookwell rail trail. A group from Wagga and Tumut is well advanced on securing support for a Riverina Highlands rail trail. The work they have done will be a great help in securing State Government support.

 
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Page updated: 23 July, 2008  2004-2008 Bungendore and Region Information