Dorset Council has agreed to keep pursuing funding for the North East Rail Trail extension, as long as Launceston Council comes to the party.
The proposed 40km extension from Scottsdale to Lilydale Falls Reserve would connect to the existing 28km trail from Billycock Hill to Scottsdale, delivering a spectacular 68km ribbon of safe, off-road path.
Dorset Council met on 23 June to recommit support to the project dependant on Launceston Council agreeing to contribute towards the Wyena to Lilydale Falls Reserve section.
The project has been more than a decade in development, weathering government inquiries, planning appeals, and community consultation to reach this point.
However, all the delays have meant the initial 2018 grant funding of $1.47 million is not enough to build the trail, with around $5 million now needed.
Launceston City Council resolved in December 2024 to provide in-principle support for the project and requested a report to better understand the costs, ownership and technical challenges for the Wyena–Lilydale Falls section.
Bicycle Network has written to all Launceston councillors expressing support for the project and seeking their continued support.
Both councils will next work on a Memorandum of Understanding while seeking federal and state government support for the construction funding shortfall.
If it’s able to get funding and come to an agreement with Launceston, then the next step for Dorset is to apply to the Minister for Transport to remove the rail infrastructure on the corridor.
This process is likely to take six months, so a tender to construct the path would not be issued until mid 2026, with a start date in early 2027 and best-case completion date in early 2028.
Public consultation undertaken in late 2024 has influenced the decision to set up a steering committee to oversee the project which would include community members to be a sounding board on the trail’s development.
The council has re-committed to the trail as one of the centrepieces in its strategy to make the region more liveable to redress its population decline. As well as offering valuable recreational space for all ages, it has the added benefit of providing business opportunities for bike hire, shuttle providers and bike mechanics.
www.dorset.tas.gov.au/north-east-rail-trail-stage-3
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