The trail is proposed to run from the visitors centre on Tarcutta Street, then along a disused rail line to Ladysmith, which bisects several farms. 

East Wagga farmer Rod Brown said no one was against trails, provided they went around the boundary of properties.

“I’ve got a big irrigation dam next to where the trail would go that I put chemicals in,” Mr Brown said.

“I put it there because it was away from people. If they want to sell the land we should get first option on it like we do with crown roads.”

Rail trail organisers weren’t listening to his concerns, Mr Brown said.

“It’s crazy where it is,” he said. “What if I want to put a cow down with a gun or I’m moving cattle, you can’t have people just popping up.”

However, NSW Farmers president Derek Schoen said rail trails had worked well in Victoria, where there had been “very few examples” of foul play.

“I understand the apprehension but you need to realise it’s still public land and there are a lot of problems that can be overcome,” Mr Schoen said.

“The demographic that will use a rail trail are very different to those who tresspass and cause malicious damage, they’re responsible people.”

A similar trail in Victoria, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail from Bright to Wangaratta and Beechworth, has been a significant benefit to local economies, according to Alpine Shire Council director Charlie Bird.

“It’s a really important asset that’s used heavily by the local community as well as drawing vast numbers of visitors to the region,” Mr Bird said.

“The trail has been in place for some years now and where there have been concerns there have been arrangements reached between councils and landholders.”

Indigo Shire mayor Jenny O’Connor said if there were any early concerns they had long settled down.

“The rail trail is seen as a positive and it brings tourism to the area,” Ms O’Connor said.

“We’ve had nothing but positives from it and we’re looking for funding to extend it.”