Work began late last month on the first phase of building the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail in what is the first development of its kind in NSW.

The construction is expected to continue into 2020 and this rail trail will be used as a test case and to provide lessons to help the development of other projects in NSW.

The NSW Government allocated $4.9 million to the 21-kilometre rail trail from its Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

Wagga Rail Trail chair Lisa Glastonbury said her group was closely watching the development of the Tumbarumba-Rosewood trail and working "slowly and steadily" to have their own project "shovel ready" if the government decided to create other trails in the future.

"We are also continuing to work with [Member for Wagga] Joe McGirr to be ready and to get this project in front of the Premier," Ms Glastonbury said.

"Obviously we will be hoping that people will support the Tumbarumba-Rosewood trail once it is open."

In the meantime, Wagga Rail Trail proponents have not been entirely left spinning their wheels.

Ms Glastonbury said Wagga City Council's Active Travel Plan, which includes planned cycle paths linking Forest Hill with the city centre would achieve "many of the aims we are raising".

While the Rail Trail group advocated the use of train corridors, Ms Glastonbury said the council's plan would still provide a welcome link for cyclists wanting to travel from Forest Hill, Brunslea Park and Governors Hill.

The 21-kilometre proposed Wagga Rail Trail - which would wind its way along disused rail corridors that often cut across privately owned properties - has been opposed by some residents and landowners who have raised concerns about safety and biosecurity issues.

Landowner Doug Cotterill said property owners remained firmly opposed to the rail trail and had signed petitions and spoken out about their concerns.

"There is no one between Forest Hill and Ladysmith who wants it. Everyone is against it," Mr Cotterill said.

The issues varied depending on individual properties, but were largely related to either general security or biosecurity.

At his property, Mr Cotterill said the trail would pass very close to his house.

"It will be open 24/7," he said.

"No one is going to guarantee who is going to be on it," he said.

"And it's got to be big enough for vehicles like ambulances and the fire brigade, which means anyone with a utility could get on it."