Tumbarumba to Rosewood will open as NSW's first official rail trail

The official unveiling of the 22-kilometre cycling and walking trail is being welcomed as a much-needed boost for the Tumbarumba area, which was devastated by the January bushfires.

However, there is still some concern about the future for other proposed rail trails, including one mooted for Wagga.

Ken Dale from the Tumbarumba Business Chamber described the April 3 and 4 official opening ceremony and activities as fantastic.

Mr Dale said rail trails already operating in other states were considered to be huge tourism draw cards.

The expected financial boost to tourism in Tumbarumba had been enough to persuade people who initially had reservations about the project that it would benefit the area, he said.

Snowy Valleys mayor James Hayes described the opening of the rail trail as a boon for the region, which was in the early stages of healing and recovery after the summer bushfires.

The council received funding of $5.7 million for the rail trail, which runs through a non-operational railway corridor between Albury Street, Tumbarumba, and McEachern Lane, Rosewood.

"We hope to see as many local cycling enthusiasts as possible join us in unveiling and celebrating this momentous project and if you're visiting from outside the area please bring your empty esky and plan to stay a few days in our beautiful Snowy Valleys to enjoy all that our region has to offer," Councillor Hayes said.

While the opening of the Tumbarumba to Rosewood project has been welcomed by Lisa Glastonbury, chairperson of the Wagga Rail Trail, she said the future development of the Wagga to Ladysmith route remained unclear.

Ms Glastonbury said the Wagga group had been told the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail, along with another project near Byron Bay, would serve as a pilot scheme to determine whether others in NSW would go ahead.

"But what we are asking - and have not been given answers to - is what the criteria for a 'success' are and over what time period they are being assessed," she said.

"It is something we have asked and have not yet been given a satisfactory answer from the government on."

A spokesperson for the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment told The Daily Advertiser the NSW government "supports in principle the development of rail trails on disused rail lines where there is strong local community support".

"Rail trails have the potential to unlock scenic regional areas for tourists, create jobs in local communities and offer a safe and scenic option for local residents or commuters to walk, cycle, or jog," the spokesperson said.

"The Tumbarumba to Rosewood rail trail is one of two pilot projects that will provide the NSW government with a better understanding of the full benefits of rail trails.

"The review of the pilot projects will be guided by unique outcomes identified in the business case of each project."