Former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer said a modern trail network would greatly boost regional tourism. 

The former Tourism Australia chair said he welcomed the passage of NSW legislation, approving Rosewood to Tumbarumba last week.

“We’ll get the usual knee-jerk attack of opposition break through,” Mr Fischer said. 

“People thinking ahead about the future, those people will accept the modern dynamic of modern bicycle tourism.”

Mr Fischer – a former Farrer MP – said the trails were booming in north-east Victoria and New Zealand.

“The Riverina needs to get with it,” he said. “Or it will miss the bus, or in this case, the bike.”