A motion this week to wipe the North East Rail Trail extension from Dorset Council’s priority list has been sent to a workshop.
North East Rail Trail extension opponent Councillor Wendy McLennan’s motion sought to take the project off the council’s priority project list and remove it from annual plans.
The council meeting was addressed by the North East Chamber of Commerce on the importance of the rail trail extension to local businesses before councillors decided on the motion.
Chair of the chamber Fiona Auton, was quoted in The Examiner as saying:
"Attempting to unravel this work now – just as momentum is building and collaboration with Launceston City Council is progressing – is not constructive. It is disruptive.
"It reflects a clear disconnect from the process and from what is required to grow the North East economy. At this stage, the focus should be on delivery-not delay."
The Dorset Council Mayor, Rhys Beattie, and General Manager John Marik also urged the council to keep the project on the list.
"Councillors had the opportunity to make their decision in June 2025 last year, and to reverse this decision seven months later speaks to our governance, our credibility and our long-term leadership," Mr Marik said.
According to Mayor Beattie "it's embarrassing it's on the table".
"At the moment we've got a tremendous business case, and the government would look at it favourably,” he said.
"In Dorset, we innovate, we seize opportunities and achieve great things. And no one should stand in the way of it."
A date for the workshop to consider the motion has not yet been set.More info on the rail trail extension is at: https://www.dorset.tas.gov.au/north-east-rail-trail-stage-3
If you have thoughts on whether the rail trail extension should stay in the council’s priority list, please let councillors know, their contact details can be found at: https://www.dorset.tas.gov.au/mayor-and-councillors