The possibility of creating a new leisure and recreation facility in the Hunter region is currently being considered by the Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook Shire Councils.
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The Rail Trail concept that is under investigation would involve building a historic trail from Merriwa to Denman utilising the old unused rail track and following the route of the Golden Highway.
The 64 kilometre winding trail would take in the cropping and grazing country surrounding Merriwa through to Sandy Hollow and finish at Denman.
As the rail line has not been used since the last rail stock left Merriwa in 1988 and the line has since fallen into neglect, it has been deemed unlikely to be used again for freight in the future.
The trail is basically a safe, flat route away from the road that will provides access into the countryside for people of all abilities.
It is for non-motorised users such as cyclists, walkers, runners or horse riders and is planned to be built on the publicly owned corridor.
The rail trail concept is rising in popularity with 100 rail trails now built in Australia and five in NSW.
The Upper Hunter Shire Council and Muswellbrook Shire Council have both committed 50 per cent funding each to undertake a $32,000 feasibility study into the project.
The project has been in the pipeline for about 12 months with council staff researching the concept and engaging experienced rail trail consultants Mike Haliburton Associates to undertake a Feasibility Study.
Representatives from Mike Haliburton Associates addressed the first official planning meeting for the project at the Upper Hunter Shire Council Administration Centre last week.
Various stakeholders from across the two shires attended the meeting to learn about the project and help establish a scope of works.
Throughout the study process, all relevant stakeholders will be consulted with, as well as community members to determine the project’s future.
The potential for the trail to have significant economic benefits to the Upper Hunter Shire and its alignment with the goals of Upper Hunter Country Tourism in promoting the region are both positive aspects.
The council also believes that the project would promote the great work already undertaken by the Merriwa Railway Society and provide further opportunities to promote the station and museum in the future.
Upper Hunter Shire Council Business Enterprise and Tourism manager Sean Constable said he sees a lot of potential for the project as it fits nicely with what Upper Hunter Country Tourism is trying to achieve to connect the Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook Shires.
Mr Constable said the planning committee and consultants visited Merriwa and the line to start investigating a possible trail path on the disused rail corridor.
When addressing the meeting, Mr Haliburton recognised that there may be possible issues such as people trespassing and landholders resistance, however he said there will be lots of different business opportunities arise as well.
