Warrumbungle Shire Councillor Kodi Brady has praised staff on what he calls an exciting project to create a community rail trail to enhance the Castlereagh Riverbank Rehabilitation project.

‘’I’m so rapt we are reigniting community interest and four councillors will be on steering committee," he said.

"That is unheard of, so with community members joining us this could be very special.’’

At the Warrumbungle Shire Council's August 21 meeting staff told councillors the Castlereagh River Rehabilitation Project would increase tourism and Council can make an application to the State Government to close the rail corridor through Coonabarabran to facilitate the creation of a rail trail.

Advice on the proposal has been received from NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and from Transport for NSW. (TfNSW)

Prior to entering into a lease agreement with TfNSW to access the rail corridor, Council must meet requirements set out in the State Government’s document entitled Framework for Creation of Rail Trails.

Neilson Park in Coonabarabran is located on the southern side of the Castlereagh River.

The rail corridor generally runs parallel to the Castlereagh River on the northern side of the River.

The recent Castlereagh River Rehabilitation project involved removal of exotic vegetation on both sides of the river.

Castlereagh River at Coonabarabran. [IMAGE: WSC]

One of the outcomes of this project is that the river is now more accessible from Neilson Park.

Councillor Brady said ‘’It will improve accessibility to the river on the northern side by creating a walkway or rail trail along the rail corridor.

"Creating a rail trail on the northern side of the river by using the existing rail bridge will also provide a pedestrian and cyclist connection between Neilson Park and the sporting facilities on the northern side.’’

Warrumbungle Shire Council staff said the Castlereagh River Rehabilitation project aligns with the Real Country / Destination Strategic Plan (the Plan), which was adopted by Council on 15 February 2024.

Development of the Plan was a collaboration between the Councils of Warrumbungle, Gilgandra and Coonamble and created following extensive consultation with the community.

The Castlereagh River flows through each of these three local government areas and the Real Country Plan includes the development of sustainable tourism in each LGA by focusing on natural and cultural assets, and particularly the Castlereagh River.

The Plan identifies a 1.6km section of the rail corridor for conversion to a rail trail Council papers said.

Councillor Brady says the river walk and local park run is already very successful so there is "amazing potential" to extend the trail.

‘’It has boosted tourism and we had a lot of visitors from Newcastle who said the local park run was impressive and very picturesque.‘’

A business case and funding application will be discussed by a steering committee and Councillor Brady says more community support is sought.