Tumut-Batlow rail trail committee willing to work with 'individual landholders'

The Tumut-Batlow Rail Trail Project has hit a stumbling block in its bid to transform the disused line from Tumut to Batlow railway stations.

The committee undertaking the project held a launch meeting on Saturday but was confronted by angry protesters, which chairman Phil Barton said was an attempt to disrupt proceedings.

“People have a right to protest, but it was more than that. It was intimidating and an attempt to disrupt our meeting,” Mr Barton said.

“We respect the farmers’ views, unfortunately they are not willing to listen to our solutions.

“There’s 130 rail trails throughout Australia and they’ve all managed to work through the same problems we have here.”

The principal concern is biosecurity, but Mr Barton said the committee had worked a solution into their proposal.

“Our proposed design is well advanced. The track will be held in the same standard as the farmers practise at their front gate,” Mr Barton said.

Mr Barton said the committee began consulting with individual farmers 12 months ago and was making inroads, but the Gilmore Progress Association (GPA) became involved and advised farmers not to speak to Mr Barton’s group. The GPA said it was speaking on behalf of a large group of landholders.

“They cut us off at the pass,” Mr Barton said.

“They have been militant – they’ve instructed farmers not to talk to us.

“We will not be talking to the Gilmore Progress Association. We’ve had several meetings with them and it always ends up a farce.

“We’re open to talk to landholders individually.” 

Mr Barton pointed to the benefits the tourism draw card would bring with it.

“Batlow is on life support – a rail trail would help regenerate interest in the area,” he said.

The proposal includes fencing with gates to keep users on track, which doubles as taking the liability risk away from landholders.