User:Aoziwe/sandbox/rail trails in oz

Rail trails in Australia repurpose old railway line reserves and easements into recreation and tourist facilities, as tracks and paths for cycling, walking, and horse riding. Often in rural areas, these developments can bring new economic support to struggling communities.

Rural property owners whose properties are adjacent to or crossed by rail trails have expressed concerns about loss of privacy, and critically, about users of the trails compromising biosecurity. Other general concerns include value for money and return on investment being a good prioritisation of funding.

Some local Governments are keen to support rail trails, seeing them as a boost for the local economy coming from tourism expenditure, while others do not believe they should be providing any direct support. State Governments may offer funding for rail trail development, via local Governments, and have formal policies in place supported by documented plans. Business owners do see the benefits of rail trails.

New South Wales had a delayed start in developing rail trails due to state laws. This began to change in 2017, with also Federal Government funding.

Rail trail use is popularised alongside other events and cultural and recreational activities as a parallel activity and for its own value.

There is siginificant popular support and lobbying for rail trails, but such support is not always unanimous.

Rail trails are not just for ad hoc activity. They are also used for formally organised activities, for example marathons,

Significant rail trails
Rails trails of significant length in Australia include: