Derwent Valley Railway slams Rail Trail proposal

The Derwent Valley Railway (DVR) has formally announced its strong opposition to the Derwent Valley Council’s proposal to remove the historic rail line between New Norfolk and National Park to construct a shared use "Rail Trail" or cycle/footpath/horse trail/powered bike track. 

The DVR says the proposal is short sighted and ignores the heritage listed track and the DVC's plans will put significant strain on the valley's ratepayers.

The DVR states that under the current railway model, maintenance liabilities and costs for the corridor rest with the DVR, not the ratepayer. The DVR warns that replacing the tracks with a "Rail Trail" will immediately transfer these future maintenance costs to the Derwent Valley Council. Any lack of future maintenance could create a severe fire risk for local people.

"If this proposal proceeds, ratepayers will inevitably see their rates rise or local services reduced to fund the upkeep of a cycleway" a DVR spokesperson said. 

"Furthermore, a cycleway would require the construction of public toilets at a huge capital and ongoing maintenance cost to the Council. Our trains already have onboard toilets—a cost the Council does not have to worry about."

"The proposal threatens to destroy 150 years of heritage that, once removed, can never be reinstated. The Derwent Valley’s unique tourist drawcard would be lost forever, along with the significant local economic spend that local, national and international rail tourists bring.

"This proposal creates a scenario where job and training opportunities provided by the DVR are lost, and the economic spillover into the town becomes negligible, the spokesperson added. "Cyclists can use existing roads and paths where a heritage train can't".

The DVR also highlighted serious safety concerns regarding the conversion of the rail corridor. Residents have raised fears that a cycleway will become "a ready-made getaway track" for property theft and illegal motorbike use (with no access for police vehicles to patrol effectively), as has been experienced in other parts of the country. Additionally, the rail corridor currently serves as a vital emergency response option during floods and bushfires - a capability that would disappear entirely if the tracks are removed.

The Railway asserts that there is no genuine demand for this cycleway outside of regional enthusiast groups, whereas the heritage railway enjoys broad support.

In the Derwent Valley Councils Upper Derwent Valley 2026 Precinct Plan it's stated that "The railway track is likely in poor condition and upgrading it so that it is fit for trains, or other heavy machinery, could be cost prohibitive, particularly the bridges and road crossings.The former railway corridor from New Norfolk to Maydena is a significant heritage feature. Its bridges, alignments and stations provide insight into the industries that once relied on rail. Parts of the corridor may support heritage rail, while other sections offer opportunities for walking and cycling trails that reconnect townships and enable interpretation of local history.