The State Government announced $110 million in  funding for regional tourism projects such as rail trails in its state budget earlier this year, raising hopes that a trail for pedestrians, cyclists and horseriders could be developed in the Mid-Western Region.

Rail Trails for NSW will hold a workshop in Sydney on Monday, August 25, to compile a submission to the government. 

However, in response to a question from local resident Pat Dickinson about rail trails, general manager Brad Cam said he and the Mayor Des Kennedy has recently met with Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian. 

Mr Cam said based on Ms Berejiklian’s advice, talk of a rail line in the Mid-Western Region is “premature”. 

Ms Berejiklian advised that although the Kandos-Gulgong line is currently unused, the State Government will not support rail trails on rail corridors where there is a possibility that the line will be brought back into use, especially for agricultural or mine freight.

Ms Berejiklian told Mr Cam and Cr Kennedy rail trails would only be created where there was 100 per cent community support, Mr Cam said. 

She said at this stage, the only line being considered for conversion as a rail trail was the out-of-service line between Murwillumbah and Casino.

Cr Lucy White said representatives of the local community would attend next week’s workshop.