SECTION 5 - LANDOWNER ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS (continued)

Some Examples of Successful Solutions from Other Rail Trails

	Self-closing trail user access gate and locked management access gate at a road crossing on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
	Re-constructed railway bridge, complete with decking and handrails, on the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail in Victoria. Bridge was re-built by the Country Fire Authority which used the contract fee to acquire a new fire tender.
	The gating system used on the Lilydale- Warburton Rail Trail in Victoria makes it difficult for unauthorised users (such as motor bikes and 4WD vehicles) to gain access to the rail-trail.
	Cattle crossing gates, as used on the Denmark - Nornalup Rail Trail, enable adjoining farmers, and their cattle/sheep, to cross the trail whenever necessary - thereby not hindering farming practices. Gates are closed across the trail and side gates on side boundaries opened to allow stock to cross when required. This spectacle - when it occurs - is of considerable interest to trail users.
	Additional tree planting (such as on the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail) can provide a necessary screening where residences are located close to the rail-trail. On this rail-trail, the fences of the original railway corridor have been relocated closer to the trail to enable the adjoining landowner to utilise the superfluous area of the corridor.
	Various studies have indicated that local communities and businesses benefit from the development of a rail-trail. Local bakeries, delis and accommodations are highly sought after by rail-trail users.
	If the fencing of the railway corridor is brought in to that needed for the rail-trail, adjoining farmers can make use of the remainder of the corridor. Fencing of the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail has been relocated, bringing trail users in close proximity to farm animals without any problem.
	User Codes of Conduct, and signposted regulations and rules, can prevent most undesirable and unwanted activities from occurring as well as instructing users where they can legitimately carry on their activities (such as walking dogs within stipulated areas).
	Regular maintenance of the trail surface, vegetation of the corridor, bridges, culverts, weeds, gates and fences are all matters that should be the subject of a Corridor Management Plan and ongoing maintenance schedule. The Friends of the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail undertake routine maintenance.
	Considerable trail surface and bridge reconstructions have occurred on the O'Keeffe Rail Trail (in Victoria) all assisted by grants from various state and Federal Governments.
	Various techniques are available to make road crossings safe for trail users, including this simple technique used on the O'Keeffe Rail Trail (in Victoria). On other rail-trails, road crossings have been made safer by the installation of underpasses, bridges and traffic lights.
	The Denmark-Nornalup Heritage Rail Trail road crossings utilise clear signage to ensure trail users are well aware of the need to take extra care when crossing the roads.
	Appropriately placed signage advising/reminding trail users not to trespass has worked successfully on the Riesling Trail - an area where high value vineyards are immediately alongside the rail-trail.
	Well located interpretive panels alongside the rail-trail setting out the history of exploration of the region, settlement history, agricultural pursuits, indigenous history and natural history can add significantly to the experience of trail users - whether they be visitors to an area or local people using the trail. The Riesling Trail has numerous interpretive panels along it 27km length.
	Special signage has been used on the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail in Victoria where the former railway corridor needs to be used to enable motor vehicle access to adjoining properties. Reduced `speed limit' and/or "Shared Zone" signage could be used on Wilgie Road to make it safer for all road users - not just trail users.
	The Sidings Rail Trail (between Jarrahwood and Nannup) has been developed as a single-track section of the Munda Biddi Trail by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Horses are not permitted on this trail. A similar style of trail could be built between Torbay and Elleker - minimising trail corridor clearing.
	The Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail in Victoria, a sealed rail-trail, enables users to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of this part of Victoria. The sealed surface enables use by all types of bicycles and other small wheeled vehicles (such as wheelchairs, prams, gophers, skateboards, etc), as well as pedestrians and horse riders.
	The Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail has a Code of Conduct sign board at regular intervals along the trail ensuring that all trail users are aware of their rights and responsibilities. An improved technique would be to use pictograms, although there may be a legal requirement for such `rules' to be prominently displayed within a Crown reserve.
	The Railway Reserves Heritage Trail in Mundaring (a rail trail established in the 1970's) accommodates all three nonmotorised trail user groups (cyclists, walkers and horse riders). Local businesses benefit greatly from this very popular and incident free rail-trail.
	The Riesling Trail in the Clare Valley has operated for many years and runs alongside numerous residences - with negligible reports of trespass, theft, vandalism and other crimes. This highly popular trail is currently being extended.
	Temporary concrete causeways have been used on already opened sections of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail until such time as funds are available for re-building of the original bridges.
	Bridges on the existing Collie to Darkan Rail Trail have been re-decked as part of the construction of that rail trail. Various signage is used along that rail trail to advise users of their rights and responsibilities. Anecdotal evidence indicates this rail-trail has operated with no issues to adjoining landowners.
	It is apparent that rail trail use, and farming use, can co-exist on the rail trail between Collie and Darkan. Sheep graze this paddock which is in fact part of the railway corridor. Self-closing gates can be used in such situations to ensure that gates are not inadvertently left open and stock do not escape.
	Various styles of interpretation have been used on the Old Beechy Rail Trail in Victoria to highlight the farming history, indigenous history, railway history and natural history of the region. An innovative feature is the use of rusty steel cut-outs. The steel structure pictorially illustrates timber cutting, farming history and other agricultural practices over the years.