RVRT Snapshot

RVRT Snapshot

​This Richmond Vale Rail Trail (RVRT) Snapshot provides a West to East overview of the proposed regionally significant 32+ km off-road cycling and walking trail from Kurri Kurri (Log of Knowledge Park) to Shortland (near Hunter Wetlands Centre) via Stockrington, Minmi/Fletcher and Tarro/Hexham.

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This Snapshot is a companion document to our “Shiraz to Shore Snapshot (August 2nd 2024)” – which presents an overview of the recently released documentation and promotional materials from Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils (Hunter JO), including the finalised Shiraz to Shore Concept Plan and Business Case and the Hunter Cycle Tourism Strategy.
 
As illustrated in the Stylised Trail Map below, there is a strong inter-dependence between the RVRT and the proposed broader 100+ km Shiraz to Shore (S2S) cycle trail.

Stylised version of 100+ km Shiraz to Shore cycle trail (June 2024) - showing core sections (S1 to S7, & S6a) and whole of RVRT.

​General Information:  The RVRT 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 and the RVRT’s inclusion in Hunter Regional Plans (October, 2016; December, 2022) and numerous local strategic plans. The RVRT will run primarily along the former Richmond Vale railway (a private line that closed in 1987), as well as utilising Hunter Water Corporation pipeline corridors within Newcastle LGA.
 
It is useful to differentiate between the 17+ km Western RVRT section (within Cessnock and Lake Macquarie LGAs) and the 16+ km Eastern RVRT section (within Newcastle LGA), as they have different heritage/cultural and environmental features, and tend to trigger different planning and assessment requirements (particularly with respect to coastal wetlands legislation).
 
All of the Western RVRT contributes to core Shiraz to Shore trail sections, together with the Eastern RVRT sub-section between Pambalong Nature Reserve and Fletcher in Newcastle LGA. In total, 20 km of the RVRT directly overlaps with core S2S cycle trail sections.
 
Picture 1 highlights the three major zones across the RVRT, together with some of the likely points of interest; while Pictures 2 and 3 provide some sample RVRT images, which largely overlap with the RVRT-related images presented throughout the finalised Shiraz to Shore Concept Plan.
 
Together, the RVRT and Shiraz to Shore cycle trail will simultaneously promote the region as a major cycling tourism destination and directly benefit local communities, families and businesses, including: economic and tourism benefits and diversification; community access and connection; health, lifestyle and liveability benefits; environmental, cultural and heritage appreciation; as well as cycling-specific safety and commuting benefits. The Trail will be free to use, link metropolitan and rural communities and attractions, and provide a unique conservation conduit for accessing coastal wetlands, national parks and reserves.

Picture 1. Updated Richmond Vale Rail Trail (RVRT) Zones and Points of Interest Map – August 2024.

Picture 2. Sample RVRT images for Western Section from Kurri Kurri to Tunnel #1 (within the Federal Electorate of Hunter, following 2024 redistribution).

Picture 3. Sample RVRT images East of Tunnel #1 – Stockrington, Minmi/Fletcher, Tarro/Hexham to Shortland (within Paterson and Newcastle Electorates).

RVRT Western Section – Cessnock & Lake Macquarie LGAs:  The proposed RVRT Western Section (Kurri Kurri to Stockrington) traverses Werakata and Stockrington State Conservation Areas and includes: a major trail head at Log of Knowledge Park, Kurri Kurri; three historic brick railway tunnels in the Sugarloaf Range; and construction of two new concrete bridges (70m single-span bridge at Wallis Creek; 15m two-span bridge at Surveyors Creek).
 
Cessnock City Council approved their short coastal wetlands sub-section of the RVRT adjacent to Pambalong Nature Reserve in 2021 (26/4/2021, DA 8/2020/20463/1), subject to 32 Conditions of Consent. In 2023 (17/5/2023), following public exhibition of a comprehensive Review of Environmental Factors (REF), Council approved the remaining 14.4km Western RVRT Section within Cessnock LGA, subject to 44 Conditions of Approval. Lake Macquarie City Council will endorse their 2.7km section of the RVRT as part of general Shiraz to Shore refinements and approvals.

​In addition to the multi-layered benefits noted earlier, critically, ‘… the RVRT passes through or nearby to several high conservation value areas that have previously been largely inaccessible to the general public’.
 
Consequently, ‘… the RVRT will provide a unique conduit for accessing the region’s varied ecosystems, … which will encourage longer-term development of other local walking trails, further social/recreational infrastructure investment, and associated educational and environmental programs’ (REF, Appendix G, Socio-Economic Impact Assessment; GHD Pty. Ltd., September 2019).
 
Importantly, over the past few years, all of the participating Councils have been strengthening the network of shared pathways that will connect with the RVRT (and Shiraz to Shore), which will contribute to increased patronage and optimising the Trail’s longer-term benefits and sustainability.

Thanks to Everyone who has Supported and Advocated for the RVRT during the past 25 years, including: the 3 participating Councils, Newcastle Cycleways Movement (NCM), Local cycling groups, Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment (TFI), Donaldson Conservation Trust (DCT), National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), our RVRT Supporters’ Group & Landcare Members, and all of our Local Elected Representatives.

Cessnock City Council is currently seeking some RVRT-related land acquisition funds from the NSW Government’s State Voluntary Planning Agreement Program, as well as funds from the Federal Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program for the Shiraz to Shore sub-section between Pokolbin and Abermain. Several related new/upgraded shared pathways are also identified in Cessnock’s 2024-25 Operational Plan, including paths between Cessnock and Abermain, and between Neath and Log of Knowledge Park, via Maybury Peace Park in Weston.

RVRT Western Section Video (17+ km within Cessnock & Lake Macquarie LGAs) - illustrating Likely Points of Interest (July 2023 YouTube Video, 4 Min. 41 Sec.).

RVRT Eastern Section – Newcastle LGA:  The proposed RVRT Eastern Section (Lenaghan to Shortland via Minmi/Fletcher and Tarro/Hexham) traverses Pambalong Nature Reserve, Stockrington State Conservation Area, Hexham Wetlands, and the western portion of Hunter Wetlands National Park (see Picture 4). Construction will include: new concrete girder bridges (20m single-span bridge at Fishery Creek; 40m three-span bridge at Ironbark Creek); separated walking and cycling paths in the steeper section near Ironbark Creek; and boardwalks in Hunter Wetlands National Park and at Fletcher.
 
Sub-sections of the Eastern RVRT totalling 13km received Concept-level approval in December 2021 from the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel (06/12/2021, Ref: PPSHCC-55, DA2020/00641), subject to 100 Conditions of Consent. Separate approvals are also underway for two short RVRT segments: between Tarro and Hexham Junction; and across Hunter Wetlands National Park, which is covered by an existing NPWS’ Plan of Management.
 
While the 14.7km RVRT segment from Minmi to Hexham Junction and Tarro to Shortland has been omitted from the core Shiraz to Shore sections, it is critical for the overall success of both trails. It will facilitate 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; M1 Extension to Raymond Terrace, and potential Coastal Wetlands Loop Trail). Moreover, in purely practical terms, the 2km Minmi to Minmi Junction section of the RVRT provides the best construction access for the other three connecting sections.
 
City of Newcastle’s preferred construction sequence for the Eastern RVRT Section (Route R1 to R6) is illustrated in Picture 4 - as of April 2024, and subject to change:
 
R1: Fletcher to Minmi Junction (approx. 800m, above pipeline, including boardwalk);
R2: Minmi (opposite Fire Station) to Minmi Junction (approx. 2km);
R3: Pambalong Nature Reserve (Newcastle LGA boundary) to Minmi Junction (approx. 2.2km);
R4: Minmi Junction to Hexham Junction (approx. 5.2km);
R5: Hexham Junction to Tarro (approx. 2.1km to the link with M1 Extension under construction); and
R6: Hexham Junction to Shortland (approx. 5.4km, to near Hunter Wetlands Centre).
 
This route sequence optimises RVRT construction access (from Minmi and Fletcher) and integration with the proposed Shiraz to Shore cycle trail (which includes R1 and R3 among its core sections, together with all of the Western RVRT Section). Council plans to move ahead section by section, progressively refining and updating the designs for the next RVRT section as actual construction moves along the trail.
 
Optimising the Tarro-Beresfield Connections:  Construction of the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace is now well underway. In the Tarro area, cycle paths from the RVRT will go under the new viaduct and up the sides of the M1 Extension embankments - allowing experienced riders from the Maitland and Raymond Terrace areas to use the RVRT as an active transport route to Newcastle.
 
Now would also be the perfect time to sort out and construct a new Shared Pathway Bridge over the New England Highway (similar to the Jesmond Shared Pathway Bridge) – allowing all potential RVRT user groups to safely and easily move between the Tarro-Beresfield community and the RVRT (via an Anderson Drive connection). Findings from the Shortland and Tarro active transport project undertaken by City of Newcastle in 2023 will also inform route choices, as well as the development of other local inter-connecting shared pathways.

​RVRT Eastern Section Video (16+ km within Newcastle LGA) - illustrating Likely Points of Interest
(July 2023 YouTube Video, 5 Min. 52 Sec.).

Where to from Here:  With increasing competition for infrastructure funding, it is imperative that we continue to work together to promote integrated joint trail development that optimises the identified benefits for local communities and the overall Hunter Region.
 
To achieve the desired community outcomes within a reasonable timeframe, we need strong and ongoing support from a broad range of agencies, including: local Councils, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Transport for NSW (TfNSW), local business and community groups, all of our elected representatives, and State and Federal governments.
 
While funding for the RVRT and Shiraz to Shore is likely to be prioritised on a segment-by-segment basis, multiple segments can be built at the same time!
 
Moreover, we need to continue to jointly argue for integrated full development, funding and construction of both Trails. It is also anticipated that progressive trail construction will help to stimulate more rapid funding and development of the remaining sections.

Picture 4. Eastern RVRT (Coastal Wetlands) Section, within Newcastle LGA - Illustrating Parks/Reserves & Preferred Construction Sequence (Route R1 - R6).

“It’s definitely Time to make
the RVRT and Shiraz to Shore cycle trail a Reality!”
 
Thanks to all of our supporters

RVRT Supporters’ Group (RVRT Inc.) Contact Information:
WEBSITE:   https://richmondalerailtrail.org.au/    FACEBOOK:   https://www.facebook.com/richmondrailtrail/

​President:  Terry Lewin
Email:  [email protected]
Telephone:  0404 439 616 (Terry)
 
Vice-President:  Leigh Gibbens
Email:  [email protected]
Telephone:  0433 570 920 (Leigh)

​Secretary & Treasurer:  Sam Reich
Email:  [email protected]
Telephone:  0418 402 644 (Sam)
 
Founding President:  Billy Metcalfe
Email:  [email protected]
Telephone:  0417 453 152 (Billy)