Goulburn Rail Trail

Goulburn Mulwaree Council (GMC) are proposing development of a new, accessible rail trail. The Goulburn Rail Trail (GRT) will repurpose the disused rail corridor within the Goulburn Mulwaree LGA into a unique off-road cycling and walking trail, creating a 25km recreational facility that will boost the region's visitor economy.

Image: Tweed Shire Council; Rail Tral First Users: The Tweed leg of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was officially opened today amid much excitement from local walkers, runners, cyclists, school students and trishaw enthusiasts.

Background

Although the railway line connecting Goulburn to Crookwell fell into disuse in the 1980’s, it remains a key feature in Goulburn’s landscape and history. The rail corridor traverses through the rolling hills of the Southern Tablelands region, crossing the Wollondilly River via a historic steel lattice bridge. The GRT proposal seeks to make use of this existing rail infrastructure to revitalise the portion of the rail corridor that sits within the Goulburn Mulwaree LGA and create a unique off-road trail that will allow users to explore the history and natural beauty of the region. The proposal includes the development of urban links with Goulburn’s existing shared pathway network, which will give current active transport users the opportunity to extend their journey onto the rail trail.

Why Goulburn?

The GRT is perfectly positioned to appeal to targeted markets throughout the state, being within a 2.5-hour drive of 5.7 million people (70% of the population of NSW). Located only one hour from Canberra, a city with a high propensity for cycling, and only two hours from the Sydney CBD, Goulburn has excellent road and rail connections which will facilitate a high level of visitation.

Goulburn and the Southern Tablelands region has a long association with cycling, which ensures the GRT is well-placed to be utilised by locals and regional visitors. Goulburn has hosted several cycling races and recreational events, including the Goulburn to Liverpool Road race, the Track Power Carnival, and the Goulburn to Camden Citi Cycle event. The area is also home to the Goulburn Cycling Club, one of Australia's oldest cycling clubs and the centre of competitive and recreational cycling in the region. This long history and high propensity for cycling in the region ensures the GRT will be accessible to a pool of users who will value the addition of a new long distance, off-road cycling route.

Business Case

The GRT Feasibility Study estimates that the project will attract 41,500 domestic visits annually, plus 25,000 local visits, for a total 66,500 visits per year.

Capital costs associated with the construction of the GRT are expected to amount to $19.3 million over four years. Annual maintenance and asset renewal costs are anticipated to total $293,700 per year; however, these costs may be partially offset by trail user donations and input by community volunteers.

The project will generate significant economic benefits for the region and the state. Over a 30-year operating period, total benefits are expected to amount to $86.8 million.

The yellow bikes you see around town are a community initiative by the Friends of the Goulburn Crookwell Rail Trail group to promote the trail's development and build support for the concept of the Rail Trail. They aim to get people talking about the bikes and then encourage conversations about the Rail Trail.

Yellow bicycles were also displayed around Tumut, Batlow and Tumbarumba, to support the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail.

Acknowledgements

Mike Halliburton has been a significant contributor to the Goulburn Rail Trail project and has provided images for use on this site.

Our logo was generously created, designed and donated by Jordan Web & Graphic Design.