The Monaro Rail Trail is a tourism infrastructure project that would provide significant benefits along the 213km length, from Queanbeyan to Bombala. Once constructed, it would be an enabler for economic and social outcomes along the route, including in the hospitality, retail, accommodation and services sectors and as a community recreation asset.
Staff from Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council are continuing to work closely with Snowy Monaro Regional Council and Monaro Rail Trail Inc to progress planning and explore funding opportunities for the project.
QPRC Support
At the 14 September, 2022 Council meeting, QPRC resolved to provide in-principle support for the Monaro Rail Trail and continue to:
- continue to work with project stakeholders (including Snowy Monaro Regional Council) to bring the concept to an investment-ready position;
- identify suitable models for a partnership with SMRC;
- explore potential lease arrangements for the rail corridor with Transpost for NSW;
- identify options for connecting the MRT into the Queanbeyan CBD and other local cycle networks, and
- identify funding opportunities for construction of the initial stage of the MRT.
In December 2022, a grant application by SMRC (supported by QPRC) was successful under the Business Case and Strategy Development Fund for a further $273,000 to provide a Trail Development Plan for additional sections of the proposed MRT route, as well as biodiversity and biosecurity plans.
Project resources
Trail Development Plan (pdf, 23.4mb)
NSW Rail Trails Framework (pdf, 6mb)
Monaro Rail Trail Inc website (external link)
Enquiries regarding QPRC’s support for the Monaro Rail Trail should be directed to Ryan Deebank, Program Coordinator Economic & Tourism, at ryan.deebank@qprc.nsw.gov.au
Image gallery courtesy of monarorailtrail.com.au
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