The Gundagai Rail Trail Facebook page has been forced to take “appropriate measures” after receiving comment its administrators feel are “purposely or inadvertently hurtful” to supporters of the proposal.

After seeing many tourists on north eastern Victoria rail trails in recent days, Mr Fischer conceded local neighbourhood issues needed to be sensibly and sensitively worked out, but said “negative NIMBY (not in my backyard) flying squads now spreading their anti-tourism bile should be challenged outright."

“I will concede they have successfully jammed up a connecting rail trail corridor from Ladysmith to Tarcutta on very dubious grounds, but they have a zero right to veto the economic boom that rail trail tourism can create, and is creating nearby over the border and at key locations, such as east of the Hume Highway and Culcairn to Corowa.”

The emotive debate between warring sides has exploded again just as Riverina Highlands Rail Trail Incorporated waits on news of an application to the state government for $5 million to develop a Tumbarumba-Rosewood rail trail.

Chairman of the organisation, Owen Fitzgerald, said the proposal had bipartisan support in parliament.

Mr Fischer said a Gundagai rail trail and the “ultimate Tarcutta to Tumbarumba grand ascent and descent rail trail” were screaming out for completion. 

“Imagine coffee shops and bike shops at a gateway recreational vehicle hub at Tarcutta for what has the potential to become the most attractive and favoured rail trail anywhere in Australia from Tarcutta - not just Humula - right up to Rosewood and Tumbarumba,” Mr Fischer said.

“It's time to see good community leaders and communities make a stand in their future economic and health interests and not let negative NIMBY types have their sway when they are often out of their depth, mostly, but I sincerely hope not unhinged, as well.”

Mr Fitzgerald said the Tumbarumba-Rosewood rail trail would pay for itself in four years and create up to 20 jobs.