Derwent Valley Rail Trail
Approximate Distance: | Under Negotiation |
Local Government Area: | Derwent Valley |
Legislative Council Division: | Derwent |
State/Federal Government Electorate: | Lyons |
Approximate Cost: | Under Investigation |
Proposed Style of Facility
Off-road shared path
What are the Major Trip Generators and Attractors?
One of the most beautiful valleys in Australia! Destinations and potential stops include National Park, Tyenna River, the cafes and farm gate doors in Westerway, Bushy Park and Plenty, including Ashbolt Farms, Redlands Estate, 2 Metre Tall Brewery, Reid Fruits and Salmon Ponds.
What other Facilities will it Connect to?
This spectacular rail corridor will connect to the Rail Tracks Riders (who will come through to National Park from their current operation in Maydena), and the heritage rail being developed by Derwent Valley Rail.
About 40 km of non-operative line west of Boyer is under discussion for use as heritage rail and walk/bike shared path. The last train on this line was in 2006 when Derwent Valley Rail were running steam trains to Westerway. Derwent Valley Rail are working hard to get accreditation to get their locos and rolling stock back on the line from their depot in New Norfolk. Bicycle Tasmania are working with Derwent Valley Rail and proposing to investigate Plenty to National Park as a shared walk/bike rail trail.
Bicycle Tasmanian has been involved in a range of productive meeting with a range of stakeholders, including Eric Hutchinson (Federal member for Lyons), Guy Barnett (State member for Lyons), Derwent Valley Rail, and Derwent Valley Council on April 8th 2014. We organised another meeting with a sub-group of stakeholders on May 6th 2014 to talk through the various stages of the project.
Update Sept 2014. A reference group consisting of Council, Derwent Valley Rail, Bicycle Tasmania, and local businesses are investigating a feasibility study to look at the economic and social benefits and costings.