Wagga City Council has vowed to get a full understanding of community concerns before giving the go ahead to a divisive rail trail project.
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The Wagga to Ladysmith rail trail would see 21 kilometres of disused railway tracks converted into a unique cycling corridor, which those behind the project argue will boost tourism.
However residents who own property along the route believe the trail would be invasive and landowner Daryl Schipp handed a petition signed by 16 residents opposing the project to council last week.
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Council accepted the petition and developer of regional activation Michael Keys promised more consultation with landowners would take place in the next few weeks.
"The rail trail is a very divisive issue where we've got people who are very supportive of it and we've also got some very concerned landowners," Mr Keys said.
"We need to take that into account and we're writing to all the landowners on the potential rail trail course and inviting them to sit down with council staff and work through their issues."
Mr Keys said this consultation would take place in November and council would then reassess the project early next year.
He admitted work on the rail trail is "still a long way off" and that council must still decide whether or not to proceed with it.
Mr Schipp welcomed the acceptance of his petition and said he hoped council would understand the issues himself and other members of the community have with the project.
"I think council were receptive to alternate views and that's the way it should be," he said.
"Any move towards looking at that proposal will have to be accompanied by a very well-researched business plan."
John Craig, a representative of Riverina Trail Inc and a supporter of the Wagga to Ladysmith project, did not see the acceptance of the petition as a setback.
"We understand the concerns of the landholders, even though the objectors are limited in numbers," Mr Craig said.
"The reality is we had the same issues on the Tumbarumba to Rosewood trail, where landowners were opposed, however we were able to work through all the issues and provide solutions to the objections."
"I believe that after the operation of that rail trail for around two years, there have been very little, if any, problems caused to the adjoining landowners."
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