Proposed Hunter Region Trail Segments (S2S/RVRT) by Federal and State Electoral Boundaries, and Local Government Areas (LGAs) – November 2024Facebook Post – RVRT Supporters’ Group – November 14th 2024 https://www.facebook.com/richmondrailtrail/posts/pfbid0uEcxavoxNjwUYH4zLMDaAA1QTPAdiTD6r5ParFyvTX5hfJG9Ue3gokaLj31HHXnzl Download Content 
At first glance the topics addressed in this Post may appear a little dry and uninteresting. However, we would like to encourage local organisations and businesses, and all of our supporters and community representatives to familiarise themselves with the opportunities, challenges and potential ongoing benefits associated with the various segments of proposed Hunter Region walking and cycling trails – in this instance, the composite Shiraz to Shore cycle trail and Richmond Vale Rail Trail (S2S/RVRT). As 2024 draws to a close, and with new Councils in place and a looming 2025 Federal Election, ideally now would also be a good time to try to secure some firm funding commitments and/or construction timelines for substantial parts of the S2S/RVRT from local Councils, State and Federal Governments. At the very least, we need to ensure that the S2S/RVRT moves steadily forward and remains high in regional priorities lists, including through organisations such as Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils (Hunter JO). Composite S2S/RVRT trail: The RVRT is a long-standing proposal to re-purpose parts of the former Richmond Vale Railway and disused water pipeline corridors to produce a 32+km walking and cycling trail from Kurri Kurri to Shortland via Minmi/Fletcher and Hexham/Tarro (within Cessnock, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle LGAs). The S2S is a proposed broader 100+km regional cycle trail extending from Hunter Valley Wine Country to Newcastle harbour/beach and the shores of Lake Macquarie. Together, the proposed composite S2S/RVRT trail totals approx. 120km, of which one-sixth (20km) comprises direct overlap between the RVRT and the core sections of the S2S trail – namely the rail trail segment from Log of Knowledge Park (Kurri Kurri) to Fletcher. Hunter JO’s finalised S2S Concept Plan (August 2024) identifies 8 core sections, labelled from West to East as S1 to S7, & S6a (see Pic06). For those less familiar with the proposed composite S2S/RVRT trail, some supplementary information about the trail’s Background and Benefits is provided at the end of this Post. Understandably, several existing and planned shared pathways that do not lead directly from Wine Country to the Beach or Lake were excluded from the finalised S2S Concept Plan (e.g., links from Cessnock CBD to Wine Country; and the approved RVRT sub-section from Minmi to Shortland). However, we need to continue to jointly argue for full development, funding and construction of both trails: firstly, because the omitted 14.7km RVRT section is critical for the overall success of the S2S/RVRT as it facilitates access to three growing communities (Minmi, Tarro/Beresfield, and Shortland) and a range of experiences/facilities (e.g., Blue Gum Hills Regional Park; Minmi Trail Head, township and proposed housing estates and pathways; Hunter Wetlands Centre and National Park; and the M1 Extension link to Raymond Terrace), as well as providing the best construction access for the other sections; and secondly, because the S2S/RVRT is inherently a linked network with inter-dependent recreational, economic, health, and societal benefits (and costs) - and in all likelihood, many of the non-core shared pathways will inevitably be badged and marketed as arms of the regional Shiraz to Shore cycle trail. Breakdown of Trail Segments by Federal and State electorates and LGAs: Pic01 provides an overview of the four Federal electorates that the composite S2S/RVRT trail traverses (Hunter, Paterson, Newcastle and Shortland), while Pic02 to Pic05 highlight the main trail segment features within those electorates. These extracted Maps use the October 2024 re-distribution boundaries. In total, approx. 77km (or 64%) of the joint S2S/RVRT trail comprises ‘trails that need constructing’, of which the majority (approx. 47km) falls within the Hunter Federal electorate [with comparable ‘new trail’ distances in the Cessnock State Electoral District (approx. 51km), and in Cessnock LGA (approx. 48km)].  Pic01: Overview of inter-relationships between composite S2S/RVRT trail segments and Federal electorates (November 2024).  Pic02: Extracted Hunter Federal Electorate Map (2024), with composite S2S/RVRT overlay and trail segment features.  Pic03: Extracted Paterson Federal Electorate Map (2024), with composite S2S/RVRT overlay and trail segment features.  Pic04: Extracted Newcastle Federal Electorate Map (2024), with composite S2S/RVRT overlay and trail segment features.  Pic05: Extracted Shortland Federal Electorate Map (2024), with composite S2S/RVRT overlay and trail segment features. Pic06 identifies the five NSW State Electoral Districts and four LGAs that the composite S2S/RVRT trail traverses. Three-quarters (90km) of the composite trail falls within two State electorates, Cessnock and Wallsend, which are illustrated in Pic07 and Pic08 respectively, only approx. 15km of which uses existing shared pathways (including the historic Tramway Track from Wallsend to Glendale). Almost all of the remaining 30km of the composite trail (across Upper Hunter, Newcastle, and Lake Macquarie State electorates) utilises existing shared pathways (e.g., Hermitage Road cycleway, Islington Park to Newcastle Harbour and Beach, and Glendale to Speers Point cycleway). It is also important to acknowledge that the four Councils hosting the composite S2S/RVRT trail (Singleton, Cessnock, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie) are likely to be primarily responsible for its final designs, construction, integrated operation and maintenance; consequently, we need to build a quality trail that optimises local and regional benefits as well as minimising ongoing maintenance costs.  Pic06: Composite S2S/RVRT Stylised Map showing Extracted NSW State Electoral Districts and Local Government Areas (LGAs).  Pic07: Extracted Cessnock NSW State Electoral District Map (2021), with composite S2S/RVRT overlay and trail segment features.  Pic08: Extracted Wallsend NSW State Electoral District Map (2021), with composite S2S/RVRT overlay and trail segment features. Finally, Pic09 and Pic10 highlight the range of locations and experiences that you might expect to have as you travel along the proposed composite S2S/RVRT trail. Hopefully, you find it useful to know which parts of the S2S/RVRT proposal fall within your particular electorate or LGA (and what trails infrastructure is actually required) when you communicate with your local MPs or Councillors or potential future candidates.  Pic09: Montages illustrating the Western Sections of the proposed composite S2S/RVRT trail.  Pic10: Montages illustrating the Eastern Sections of the proposed composite S2S/RVRT trail. Other Considerations: The proposed RVRT and S2S are regional trails, which need to be promoted and developed in an integrated fashion if we are to optimise their identified multi-layered benefits for local communities and the overall Hunter Region. Electorates (and Councils) will also vary in the amount of money required to develop and maintain their part of the S2S/RVRT trail. However, established areas are likely to experience considerable (and potentially earlier) reciprocal benefits from region-wide increases in tourism, as well as from increased expenditure by residents from adjacent areas. So, advocating for full and integrated S2S/RVRT development is in everyone’s interest. The same applies to continuing to develop inter-connected local shared pathways (between local schools, parks, recreational/sporting facilities, and shopping/business centres) that also link to the backbone provided by the S2S/RVRT. There are also a few external timeframes/events that may be useful to consider during S2S/RVRT planning: the opening of the International Airport in Newcastle in 2025; the expected completion of the M1 Extension from Black Hill to Raymond Terrace in mid-2028 (and the associated need to complete the Tarro/Beresfield to Shortland and Minmi/Fletcher S2S/RVRT sections); and the bi-centennial of commercial wine growing in Australia in 2028. Finally, we also need to maintain a balanced focus – ensuring that the ‘Shiraz’ and ‘Shore’ ends of the trail do not dominate deliberations - as there are opportunities along the full length of the S2S/RVRT to enhance, protect and promote local communities and conservation areas. Supplementary Information – Background and Benefits (Recap): RVRT Background: This trail was first proposed around 25 years ago, with active planning underway now for over a decade, following completion of a comprehensive feasibility study in 2014, the RVRT’s inclusion in Hunter Regional Plans (October, 2016; December, 2022) and numerous local strategic plans, and detailed environmental and other assessments between 2016 and 2023. The 32+km RVRT will run primarily along the former Richmond Vale Railway (which closed in 1987), as well as utilising Hunter Water Corporation pipeline corridors within Newcastle LGA. Most of the RVRT has received initial, concept-level approval (Eastern Section within Newcastle LGA: December 2021, from the Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel; and Western Section within Cessnock LGA: May 2023, from Cessnock City Council). S2S Background: Hunter JO initiated discussion about the proposed broader 100+km regional S2S cycle trail around 2020. As the project was refined, a dual focus emerged: developing an overall Hunter Cycle Tourism Strategy; and identification of a core S2S trail route from Wine Country to the Shores of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie that could provide a backbone for future trails as well as being integrated with existing trails infrastructure. In late 2022, Hunter JO received grants from the NSW Government’s Business Case and Strategy Development Fund which enabled them to undertake the required background research and consultation to move the S2S proposal forward. In early August 2024, they released (www.hunterjo.com.au/projects/shiraz-to-shore-cycle-tourism) a finalised S2S Concept Plan, Business Case and Marketing Plan, the Hunter Cycle Tourism Strategy, and a promotional (3 Min. 45 Sec.) YouTube video (https://youtu.be/X4KlcOq7AJI). Benefits: Together, the S2S and RVRT (and associated local shared pathways initiatives) will: provide valuable and cost-effective region-wide recreational resources for residents; generate economic development and diversification opportunities; promote the Hunter Region as a premier cycle tourism destination (by highlighting our region’s natural beauty and linking existing infrastructure and attractions); and directly benefit local communities, families and businesses. Other benefits include: improved community access and connection; health, lifestyle and liveability benefits; environmental, cultural and heritage appreciation; as well as cycling-specific safety and commuting benefits. The Trails will be free to use, link metropolitan and rural communities and attractions, and provide a unique conservation conduit for accessing national parks and reserves, and coastal wetlands – including several areas that have previously been largely inaccessible to the general public. Importantly, quality regional trails such as the proposed S2S/RVRT and the existing Fernleigh/FAST are long-life assets that will continue to generate regional benefits for decades to come (and are also likely to have increasingly advantageous benefit-to-cost ratios as time goes on). Thanks to all of our RVRT and S2S supporters. CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK WELCOME. RVRT Supporters’ Group (RVRT Inc.) Contact Information:
WEBSITE: https://richmondalerailtrail.org.au/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/richmondrailtrail/
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
News Archive
|
||||
RSS Feed
