EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Sections of the disused Elleker- Denmark-Nornalup railway corridor further to the west have already been developed into a rail trail (the Denmark Nornalup Heritage Rail Trail). The section of railway corridor under consideration in this study (Torbay to Elleker) is another portion of the nowdisused railway line built in 1889.

Some important reminders of the former railway remain such as concrete bridge piers and abutments, timber culverts, cuttings and embankments.

The Torbay to Elleker corridor is approximately 7 kilometres long.

In the years since closure in 1957 (some 52 years ago) much of the corridor has become very overgrown, through a portion (Wilgie Road) has become a local road serving several properties. Another section of the railway corridor has remained almost totally cleared and is currently leased and used for grazing of cattle. A short piece of the corridor east of Torbay has already been developed for a local nature trail.

Since 1957 deterioration of the assets of the corridor has occurred. Bridge decking and structural components have been removed or have rotted, parts of the corridor have become very overgrown, the steel track has been removed, and little remains of the infrastructure apart from the formation/embankment and cuttings.

Nearby residents and farmers have become accustomed to the fact that there has been little or no public usage of the railway since passenger and goods services ceased many years ago.

The proposal to develop a trail on the disused railway corridor has been around for a number of years, with the corridor being mooted as the route of the Munda Biddi Trail since 1999.

In more recent times, the proposal to develop a trail has gained momentum, with the Torbay Catchment Group suggesting it be developed as a means of 'connecting' the towns of Torbay and Elleker, and of instigating a project that would bring people in the community together. Some farmers, however, living and working alongside the corridor are concerned about the prospect and the possible disruption to long established farming practices, the possible invasion of their privacy, trespass and the need (and costs) for additional fencing.

On the other hand, many others in the community are welcoming the prospect of a recreation trail as the evidence shows that rail-trails are becoming very popular throughout Australia and with them come a range of benefits which studies have shown outweigh the disadvantages.

The large numbers of supporters of the project who attended a community meeting held at the commencement of this planning project supports the notion that there is a high level of support in the Torbay and Elleker communities for the trail to be developed.

Given the success of trails on other disused railways elsewhere in Australia (especially in Victoria and Tasmania) and here in Western Australia and overseas, this Study was commissioned by the Torbay Catchment Group to determine what work was required - and the costs - to develop a 'rail-trail' along the corridor.

This development plan attempts to balance all factors and arrive at recommendations that would produce the greatest positive benefits for the broadest cross-section of the community.

The main tasks of this study were to:

• Provide an overview history of rail trail developments in Australia and give an outline of the basic concepts and features of existing rail trail developments;
• Provide a description of the corridor and the works required;
• Provide examples of successful techniques used in other rail trails to >circumvent the problems typically raised by concerned landowners / neighbours;
• Identify and discuss the main issues concerning the proposed development; and
• Provide recommendations concerning the implementation process and possible funding sources.

In this study the 'community' was defined to be not only the 'local community' (ie. people living and working alongside the railway corridor), but also all those people living in the wider local government area and the region - and the whole of the population of Western Australia, too. Those living alongside the corridor have a direct and often very personal interest in the corridor, but it must be remembered that it is 'public land' and is in fact 'owned' by everyone in WA.

Neighbours of the railway corridor are concerned about the prospect of change to a situation that they have grown accustomed to. The proposal for a recreation trail along the railway corridor has aroused quite understandable concerns - concerns that mirror those raised in numerous similar 'rail-trail' conversion situations right around the world.

Generally, the concerns raised by 'neighbours' of a rail-trail conversion project include:

• Trespass
• Ongoing maintenance
• Fire risk; and safety of users in the event of a fire or other emergency
• Weed control
• Road crossings and traffic safety
• Possible need for fencing and the impacts on farming practices
• Public liability responsibility
• Stock theft and disturbance
• Reduced privacy
• Gates left open
• Farm safety
• Litter and vandalism
• Unauthorised usage (such as by motor bikes and 4WD's)

Fortunately there is a wealth of experience from other very similar situations around the world (including numerous examples in Victoria and Western Australia and elsewhere around Australia). Almost without exception that experience suggests that trails along disused rail corridors do not cause the problems and issues that are commonly anticipated.

For example, anecdotal information pertaining to the Collie to Darkan Rail Trail (an existing rail trail in WA) is very useful. The Shire of West Arthur, and the "Friends of" group for that trail, confirms that no significant issues have arisen since construction of the trail. The trail gets considerable usage, adjoining landowners can still use the railway corridor (and formation) for agreed purposes, and neighbours have experienced no ill-effects (ie. no trespass or theft or fires or vandalism, etc).

The Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) in the USA provides a huge volume of background information from which we can learn. The RTC has overseen the development of over 1450 rail-trails nation wide (for a total of 13,935 rail-trail miles - 22,400 kilometres).

Studies have been conducted and all provide evidence that the problems feared by adjoining landowners rarely, if ever, actually occur. In fact, more often than not, people living next to rail-trails (who were originally opposed to the project) discover that active management of the corridor is better than ongoing neglect and uncertainty. Indeed, many of these people - former opponents of a rail-trail conversion - become strong supporters as they find the benefits actually outweigh the costs.

This is certainly the case for the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail in Victoria, an area where the predominant neighbouring land use is grazing of cattle - similar to the situation along significant sections of the railway corridor under examination. This is not to say that the concerns raised by landowners in this case are not worthy of attention. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Many of these concerns are legitimate and warrant careful consideration. No doubt, some landowners will have to change the way they have done things, should the rail-trail proceed. Compromises will need to be made. The process of determining case-by-case resolution of practical issues then becomes central to this scenario.

This is not then so much a case of people raising unfounded issues - rather, it is a case of people raising issues that need to be (and can be) resolved.

In balancing these concerns and issues it has to be recognised that as a recreational trail, the former railway corridor between Torbay and Elleker has quite outstanding potential. It has the capacity to provide a long distance 'linear park' through interesting and scenic landscapes - and such opportunities do not arise often.

From a trail perspective, the former railway corridor is very attractive:

• the corridor is set in a scenic rural landscape, with a variety of vegetation types and landscapes (though local people who have farmed this area for decades may not realise the inherent beauty of the landscape);
• the corridor commences and finishes in towns (Elleker and Torbay);
• the corridor is situated in relatively close proximity to sizeable populations (with significant visitor numbers) including Denmark (1/2 hours drive), Albany (1/2hr);
• the major elements of the railway infrastructure remain (formation, cuttings, embankments and the concrete abutments and piers of the bridges and culverts);
• despite the passage of time, the continuity of the former railway corridor is excellent - there being no discontinuities;
• the railway formation (through cuttings and along embankments) provides a gentle gradient, suitable for all types of cyclists, walkers, and horse riders; and
• the corridor provides for an excellent length ride or walk and offers great flexibility of use options (long, medium or short walks and rides). In particular, the entire corridor (approx. 7km) provides an easy length for a half or full day's bicycle ride or walk.

In time, when the Munda Biddi Trail (off-road cycle touring trail) reaches Albany, it is highly likely that the disused railway corridor will be the route selected for the trail. This then would open up major opportunities to continue westwards (to the existing Denmark - Nornalup Heritage Rail Trail), and eastwards to Albany.

There are substantial benefits to be gained by the development of a recreational trail along the former railway. These benefits include:

• economic benefits accruing to businesses in the towns which are connected by the trail, and other businesses in the region, through expenditure by visitors using the trail;
• health benefits, gained by anyone in the community who uses the trail for fitness, leisure and exercise;
• environmental benefits, through a concerted effort to eradicate weeds and undertake other landcare projects (including weed removal and revegetation) along the corridor; and
• improved fire management, through a more concerted effort at control of grasses, bridge reconstruction and unhindered access for emergency vehicles along the corridor.

A fuller discussion of the many benefits of trails, including rail-trails, is presented within this report.

The cost of developing a trail along the Torbay to Elleker corridor has been estimated at $408,600 (plus GST). Though this might seems an excessive amount of money, and perhaps beyond the reach of the City of Albany's financial resources, that construction cost must be taken in context. Roads, especially freeways, cost many millions. This project will provide significant health benefits to the many thousands of potential users in the coming years. The trail will also stimulate economic benefits to the towns and the region - if the experience of other trails (including rail-trails) is any guide. Funds spent on the rail-trail will provide financial benefits to the region by future trail users.

The construction costs are calculated using contractors' rates and Council work crews. The broad cost estimates do not allow for in-kind contributions, use of volunteers or low (or no) cost labour sources (such as prison crews or social clubs, etc) or military personnel (who in the past have offered their services to undertake bridge re-building tasks).

Some significant savings can be made by not proceeding with some of the recommended actions. For example, approximately $45,000 of this budget is for management access gates, chicanes, and cavaletti gates at each of the 8 driveway crossings of the trail along the Lower Denmark Road (between Elleker and Wilgie Rd). This action may prove to be unwarranted and an unnecessary expense. The budget also allows for approximately $52,000 for revegetation of an uncleared section of the corridor (the leased section near Wilsons). This could be dramatically reduced, depending on the extent of use of volunteer labour, donations. etc.

Funding for the trail project would be available from a wide range of sources - as outlined in this report. External funding sources (State and Federal Government funding programs) could provide a significant contribution to construction of the trail.

Low cost labour sources are available too, including volunteers and prison crews, which would significantly reduce some of the costs involved in this project. This report provides the necessary information for the development of a trail on the disused railway corridor. The information contained in this report should now be discussed in the community. It is the community's decision whether it proceeds with the plan to construct the trail now, or not at all. Should the consensus be to go ahead, a first step is for the City of Albany to commence proceedings to terminate the existing lease of land ("Licence to Graze Stock - Ptn of Wilgie Road - G.J.Wilson"), with perhaps a new lease being negotiated that would enable shared use of that piece of the railway corridor.