Planning Approval Granted for Initial LGA Section (approx. 13 km) of the Richmond Vale Rail Trail (RVRT) - Shortland to Minmi/Fletcher via "Hexham Junction" and "Minmi Junction"Congratulations and Thanks: Congratulations to everyone in the Hunter Region and elsewhere who has supported the development of the Richmond Vale Rail Trail (RVRT). With planning approval now granted for the initial Newcastle LGA section of the trail (see details below), we are one step closer to making the RVRT a reality. In particular, we would like to acknowledge the contributions of current and former planning and assessment staff at Newcastle City Council, the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel (RPP), the primary design consultant (GHD Pty Ltd, Newcastle), the 150 individuals and groups who made written public submissions, and RVRT Inc.’s own members and supporters. Additional agencies and groups making substantial contributions include: National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Donaldson Conservation Trust (DCT), the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment (TFI), Newcastle Cycleways Movement, and the other participating local Councils (Cessnock and Lake Macquarie). Some of our supporters were starting to become concerned that the trail might never eventuate; after all, the initial ‘Community Information Sessions’ were held in November 2016! Since then, there have been many environmental and related assessments (to better protect our coastal wetlands and reserves), and a reasonable number of design adjustments – so, it is time for a moment of celebration – before we focus on the detailed design work ahead, the next approval stages, the search for external funding, and trail construction. Billy Metcalfe, RVRT Inc.’s President for well over 10 years, greeted the current Approval enthusiastically: Unique Features of the RVRT: When completed, the RVRT will comprise a multi-purpose, user-friendly, 40 km shared community pathway between Shortland and Kurri Kurri, supporting a broad range of user groups (e.g., commuting and recreational cyclists, walkers, runners, bird watchers, reduced mobility users, family and social groups). In addition to cycling safety, health and lifestyle, and economic and tourism benefits, the RVRT will: foster linkages between metropolitan and rural communities and their attractions; facilitate access to multiple high conservation value areas that were previously inaccessible (e.g., Hunter Wetlands National Park, Pambalong Nature Reserve, Stockrington and Werakata State Conservation Areas); enhance our cultural and heritage awareness and appreciation; and provide opportunities for future regional network connections (effectively becoming the spine that links an array of Lower Hunter trails, cycleways and attractions). Current Approval by the Regional Planning Panel (RPP): The Hunter and Central Coast RPP held an online Public Meeting at 4pm on Wednesday, 10th November 2021 [Ref: PPSHCC-55, chaired by: Ms. Alison McCabe] to determine a Development Application by the City of Newcastle’s Infrastructure & Property Unit (DA2020/00641) for a ‘Community Facility – Pathway – “Richmond Vale Rail Trail” – (RVRT)’ [Capital Improved Value: approx. $21.4 m (for adjusted DA)]. Link to relevant documents and determination: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/planning-panel/richmond-vale-rail-trail After further deliberations, planning Approval has now been granted for this Development Application (dated 06/12/2021), subject to 100 Conditions of Consent. This initial approval includes four trail ‘legs’, totalling approx. 13 km:
Two ‘legs’ within Newcastle LGA were temporarily removed from the current application (the Hunter Wetlands Centre connection, and the Hexham Junction to Tarro connection). These will be the subject of future applications, together with separate applications for the remaining Cessnock and Lake Macquarie LGA segments [conducted as Reviews of Environmental Factors]. It is also anticipated that there will be future connections to: the University of Newcastle (and the wider cycleways network); proposed residential developments around Minmi; Blue Gum Hills Regional Park; and to the M1 Extension to Raymond Terrace. Thanks for your interest in the RVRT. Please contact our Secretary & Treasurer, Leigh Gibbens, for further information or comment.
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Tim Roberts presented his visionary project on developing an ecotourism walking and biking trail along the disused Richmond Vale Rail line to some 20+ members of the Newcastle Enterprise Rotary Club in early February 2018. The Richmond Vale Rail Trail project is being developed cooperatively by the three relevant LGAs – Newcastle (lead), Lake Macquarie and Cessnock City Councils. A feasibility study has revealed that the idea has social, economic and health potential and judging by the success of the Fernleigh Track the results of the feasibility study should be very much endorsed on the completion of the RVRT. With support from the Tom Farrell Institute and strong financial support from the Donaldson Conservation Trust Newcastle City Council has let a contract to GHD to do further development planning to bring the project to be shovel ready. The Rotarians showed strong support for the project following Tim’s presentation and the visitors from the incorporated association Richmond Vale Rail Trail Inc, offered their association as the vehicle to assist in fundraising.  Immediately following "Active Transport: The Richmond Vale Rail Trail Conference", the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment launched their latest book “Towards the Richmond Vale Rail Trail”. The book was commissioned by the Donaldson Conservation Trust and looks forward to a successful transition of this disused rail line, into a usable corridor for active transport, education, conservation and tourism. The Richmond Vale Rail Trail will become one of the Hunter Valley’s iconic trails linking Newcastle to the vineyards, and bringing access along the way to a wide variety of ecosystems, from wetlands to Red Gum forests, and an abundance of bird life.  Prof Tim Roberts launching the book.
Approximately 80 people attended the book launch at the University of Newcastle's Callaghan Campus. The evening was opened by the Director of the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment Tim Roberts. Representing the Donaldson Conservation Trust were Tony Sutherland and Terry Lewin. Support for the launch was from Cr Declan Clausen, Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle and Sonia Hornery, Member for Wallsend. The book was well received, with comments such as it was a lovely book and they were happy with the end result. The event was lively with lots of discussion of the future rail trail and active transport corridor.  Around 80 people gathered at Newcastle University for the inaugural Active Transport conference "Active Transport: The Richmond Vale Rail Trail Conference". This conference, run by The Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment, was generously supported by the Donaldson Conservation Trust, as well as a number of other organisations, including Hunter Innovation and Science Hub, National Science Week, Inspiring Australia and the NSW Government.
With 2017 being the International Year of Sustainable Tourism Development, the first session was aptly named "Pathways to Sustainable Tourism". This commenced by looking back at the international conference "Pathways to Sustainability: Local Initiatives for Cities and Towns" hosted in Newcastle in 1997, supporting the UN action plan on sustainable development Agenda 21 that was agreed at the Rio Earth Summit. The Newcastle Declaration was endorsed at the 1997 conference, declaring that "There is growing evidence, however, that the future of all life on Earth is still in peril. There is an urgent need to accelerate and assist action at all levels, particularly locally, if the global sustainable development objectives of Agenda 21 are to be realised". We heard about the Wonnarua Nations Pathways To Sustainability, looking at their history and development, including culture and heritage, economic development, sustainability and active transport initiatives, within the context of their "Australian Healthy Communities Model". The conference was underpinned by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and we discovered that these goals can become our guide for sustainable tourism development, not as a bolt-on but as a way of thinking. Rounding out the first session, in understanding the tourist as an end user, we saw that alternatives need to be developed to the current male-centric paradigm of tourism destination development. Session 2 - Active Transport - Smart and Healthy, focused on the benefits and local initiatives on Active Transport. We looked at the prevalence of obesity in different countries and how that is inversely proportional to the level of active transport in those countries. The health and other benefits of active transport were expounded and what we could do to make Newcastle the perfect active travel city. For example, UK studies found that commuting by bicycle or walking reduced mortality by 30-40%. Using the Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT), you can quantify the benefits of active transport. Applied to the proposed CycleSafe Network (CSN), through reduced health costs, the CSN would have a payback period of only 18 months! This is also expected to bring to the region more than twice the return on investment from the Hunter Expressway. In Newcastle and Lake Mac 90 km of cycleways currently exist. CSN would expand this by an additional 140 km. The CSN aligns with current cycling strategies of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils and would integrate with public transport increasing its use. The CSN is expected to reduce congestion, create Jobs, tackle childhood obesity and keep the environment clean. The session was completed by bringing us up to date with the revitalisation plans for Newcastle, including an inner city cycleway strategy and the Local and Neighbourhood Centres Program.
Following a quick lunch, the next session, entitled "Rail Trails and Sustainable Living", commenced by looking at the history of the Fernleigh Track and then the future aspirations of Lake Macquarie council in the area of active transport. The focus of the conference then turned to rail trails. There are 100 rail trails in Australia, but only 5 in NSW. Many rail trails are in regional and rural Australia and are generally built along publicly owned disused railway corridors. Rail trails provide safe, flat routes away from dangerous roads and are for "non-motorised" users such as cyclists, walkers, runners, and sometimes horse riders. They provide access into into the countryside for people of all abilities but often have some urban component with some active transport opportunities. We learnt about recent successes and learnings from Victorian rail trails and the grass roots actions needed to get a trail underway. The final session of the day focused on the Richmond Vale Rail Trail (RVRT). This commenced with an interesting run through the past history of the Richmond Vale line. We then learnt about the ecology of the Sugarloaf area, including the Atlas of Living Australia, endemic species and how species can be used to highlight geographical boundaries. Closing the day, we learnt latest information from the design and environmental approvals for the RVRT.
For more information on the conference and access to the presentations see. |
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