The Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail could bring in $6m a year

The council previously resolved to commission an economic assessment report on the benefits to the region of the Goulburn to Crookwell rail trail and it was undertaken by SGS Economics and Planning.

Rail trails are recreational trails designed for walkers, cyclists and horse riders on disused railway corridors. 

The report has highlighted the significant benefits to the region if the project proceeds.

The report states the trail would cost $15.6m to build if was constructed over 2018 and 2019. Goulburn Mulwaree Council has allocated $300,000 a year for ongoing maintenance once it is operational.

It estimates the trail would attract increased tourism expenditure in the local region from the 30,000 new day trippers that would come here each year, including 5000 day trippers who would have visited anyway but who decided to stay overnight to visit the trail.

“The construction of the rail trail over two years is expected to produce economic activity in the construction industry of $2.8m per year and create 16 full-time jobs,” the report states.

“The trail is expected to produce benefits for Goulburn Mulwaree and Upper Lachlan Shire of around $6m per year when it is fully operational.

“The bulk of the benefits are expected to come from an increase in the number of day trippers visiting the region to spend time on the trail, with a value of $2.9 million per year or nearly half of total annual benefits.” 

The report highlights that another potential benefit is indirect employment in such industries as: cycle hire, repair and sale businesses, food and hospitality business owners within a short walk or cycle of the rail trail,  landowners near the rail trail setting up campsites or holiday cottages and tour or package holiday opportunities. 

The proposed Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail runs for 56km, from Goulburn through to Norwood, Woodhouselee, Roslyn, McAlister and Crookwell.

The trail winds through forest and farmland, passing historic buildings and crossing railway bridges. It crosses the two local government areas of Goulburn Mulwaree Council and Upper Lachlan Shire. 

Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Bob Kirk has previously emphasized the catchment area of the Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail.

“The catchment for this project is enormous, with about 75 per cent of NSW residents living within 2.5 hours of our proposed rail trail. They could make a great family weekend of it,” he said.