General News
24 August, 2023
Feasibility study gives tick of approval to new rail trail
Pedalling closer to success, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) project is on the right track — with its feasibility study projecting a positive return of more than $40 million. Released yesterday, after being in the works for nearly...
Pedalling closer to success, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) project is on the right track — with its feasibility study projecting a positive return of more than $40 million.
Released yesterday, after being in the works for nearly a year, the 112-page report detailed the potential benefits of developing a 55-kilometre path along the unused rail corridor connecting Maryborough and Castlemaine.
Estimated to cost around $24 million to construct — excluding funding for designing, planning and consultation activities — the study notes that the trail’s overall returns are expected to range between $44 million and $51 million, outweighing costs by more than twice the amount.
Proposed to run through Carisbrook, Moolort, Newstead, Guilford and Campbells Creek, CMRT Incorporated president Janice Simpson said the track would have a big impact in the region.
“I’m feeling really great about the study’s results — it was very thorough,” she said.
“When the trail is in full operation, it is going to be a huge boon for the towns it goes through.
“We knew the study would show positive outcomes but we were a bit concerned that going in and out of towns might be tricky but the consultants have mapped out some really good pathways so all in all it’s excellent.”
Citing the economic and social benefits highlighted in the study, Ms Simpson said CMRT would enable many opportunities to be created.
“[According to the report] about 80,000 people will use the trail every year — rail trails in other regions have shown how they can bring added prosperity to smaller communities through jobs and new businesses, this trail will too,” she said.
“For a town like Maryborough, the impact will be huge. If 80,000 people come into the town to start or finish the trail, think about the benefits for the hospitality industry.
“This will be something new for Maryborough and will be of great benefit culturally, economically and socially.”
Next in line for the CMRT, as it enters the second stage of development, includes taking steps to determine its ecological impact.
“Now we’re working towards doing an environmental study, taking into account all the flora and fauna that might exist along the rail line,” Ms Simpson said.
“We’ll also be conducting a cultural heritage study — we are also looking forward to work with the Dja Dja Wurrung People and other groups.
“Our committee is already working with the Central Goldfields Shire and Mount Alexander Shire councils to isolate where some grants might be available for the project.”
The feasibility study was conducted by the CMRT group in partnership with the two councils and mayor Grace La Vella said she was excited to get the project underway.
“Council can now start progressing and seek funding for the CMRT and while the funding required to get it completed over a number of years is a great deal, we’re not to look at the cost instead we’re to look at the economic development in our region,” she said.
“We will be working unified with the Mount Alexander Shire for a funding strategy and a great deal of advocacy including help from the State Government will head us in that direction of further funding.
“We’ve got the study’s results and now the hard work begins.”
With about 40 percent of the rail track on the planned route already lifted, member for Ripon Martha Haylett said there was still a long way to go.
“We’re celebrating the first step of many ahead — this is a huge project and has a big price tag as well but the economic benefits that it brings are really significant to the region.
“It’s also a really good example of what happens when shires and different stakeholders work together.
“There’s so many beautiful tracks around here but this will be a really special one that we need to do a lot of work on into the future but I’m keen to work with all of the community to see it happen.”