Supporters of the concept have spoken about the economic, social and health benefits of rail trails, while opponents have pointed to the impact on landholders where trails could be developed on disused rail lines.

Mr Fischer this week attacked some elements of the anti-rail trail movement, saying “negative NIMBY (not in my backyard) flying squads now spreading their anti-tourism bile should be challenged outright”.

This and other comments by Mr Fischer have drawn the ire of some readers of The Daily Advertiser who feel Mr Fischer has betrayed his National Party and farming roots.

“These people objecting are more than likely National Party voters, how sad to see that a stalwart of the party now considers those farmers and landholders to be ‘NIMBY types’, ‘unhinged as well.’ Very disappointing indeed,” Kim Kendall said in a post on the Advertiser’s website.

An Advertiser poll asking readers if they supported rail trails had 151 ‘no’ responses and 131 ‘yes’ responses on Friday morning, but late in the day it appeared rail trail supporters had rallied the troops.

By 4pm there were 390 ‘yes’ responses and 231 ‘no’ responses.

Much of the debate has focused on a rail trail proposal at Gundagai, not in Tumbarumba where a proposal to built a rail trail between the town and Rosewood is before the state government for consideration of a $5 million grant to build a trail as a pilot project for the state.

Member for Albury, Greg Aplin, said time for debate on the project had “well and truly passed” following the submission of a funding proposal that included public consultation.

However, he acknowledged fears of rural landholders about rail trails passing through their properties.

Bruce Halket, of All Terrain Cycles in Mansfield, said there had been some people quite vocal in their opposition to the Great Victorian Rail Trail that starts in his town.

“Now, I don’t think you could find a person to speak against it; it has been fantastic for Mansfield,” Mr Halket said.