Derwent Valley rail line potentially turned into trail

The Derwent Valley Council has voted to proceed with plans to build a multi-use "rail trail" between Maydena and Hayes.

Council and its councillors voted at a meeting on Thursday night to approve the first-stage concept design for the rail trail, following a detailed feasibility study.

The yes vote endorses the feasibility study, which has confirmed the trail is achievable. The yes vote also allows the opportunity to push forward with discussions around advancing the 12.4 km first-stage reference design and to continue with plans and designs connected to activating the full 32km rail trail route from Maydena to Hayes.

The yes vote also allows the possibility of transferring the rail corridor from Tasrail's network control under the Strategic Infrastructure Corridors Act 2016. Going forward, Council's focus will be on applying for any associated federal funding to advance stage 1 of the trail design and to planning for other stages.

A yes vote doesn't approve construction of the rail trails, nor does it commit money to build them.

The Derwent Valley Council's Upper Derwent Valley Precinct Plan was finalised in April 2026, and this identified that building a multi-use trail along the whole disused rail corridor could transform the area into a greater community-based, recreational and economic asset for the Upper Derwent Valley.

The rail trails would be broken down into three stages of development:

Stage 1 from Maydena to National Park would connect to the Maydena Mountain Bike Park and Mt Field. This stage has a detailed design prepared, with construction costs set at over $ 12 million.

Stage 2 is proposed to run from National Park to Westerway, with the study recommending advancing with designs from Glenora and Westerway. This stage is specifically suggested to provide strong community benefit by linking residents and also two schools.

Stage 3 from Glenora to Hayes presents the biggest challenge due to unsafe bridges and road crossings along the stretch of railway line and land.

The initial three-stage concept design doesn’t include a stage from Hayes to New Norfolk, but it could ultimately link up with the proposed "Peppermint Peak" trail for Peppermint Hill in New Norfolk.

DV Council Wes Young said, " The vote was unanimously in favour of pushing forward on the back of the detailed feasibility study, and we're also looking forward to discussing details in depth with all stakeholders, including the Derwent Valley Railway Preservation Society".

"Council has not left a stone unturned with this, and communication surrounding this is one of, if not the biggest, communication efforts councils have undertaken in their history", Mr Young Said.

CEO Wes Young said he and the Council will meet with the Derwent Valley Railway within the coming weeks to discuss potential opportunities for the railway going forward.

"We understand there needs to be a balance that accommodates everyone, including the DVR, and we're looking forward to having more discussions and to what the future holds". Mr Young said.

At the Council meeting, river activation along the New Norfolk Esplanade and Millbrook Rise was also discussed, with some great work already achieved.