2013-14 Trails and Bikeways Program Projects Announced

The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O’Byrne, today announced funding of $100,000 to help connect Rocherlea and Inveresk to Launceston’s city-wide cycling network.

The upgrade is part of the $511,000 committed by the Tasmanian Government in 2013, from the Trails and Bikeways Program.

“The $100,000 grant to Launceston City Council will allow it to complete an eight-kilometre bike and walking trail for recreational users and commuters,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“This is also the first section of the proposed 135-kilometre Launceston/North East Rail Trail, which would be a huge recreation, tourism and economic asset for Northern Tasmania.”

Ms O’Byrne also announced $31,000 to complete the West Tamar Trail between Kings Bridge and Tailrace Park and $100,000 for Break O’Day Council for the Blue Tier Mountain Bike Trail.

The Blue Tier project involves 40 kilometres of trails, and forms part of the $1.4 million North-East Mountain Bike Development Project.

“The North East Mountain Bike Development Project is expected to provide significant economic and social benefits to the North East community through the large number of visitors it will generate.

“Since its inception in 2008-09, the Trails and Bikeways Program has leveraged around $13 million worth of development projects across Tasmania, resulting in more than 150 kilometres of tracks.”

As well as providing positive economic outcomes, the Trails and Bikeways Program is helping Tasmanians participate in sport, recreation and physical activity.

“The number of Tasmanians exercising three or more times a week is, for the first time, above the national average,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“That puts Tasmania equal second with Western Australia, only behind the ACT in terms of regular physical activity.”

Summary of projects funded under 2013-14 Trails and Bikeways Program

Dover Village – Remount Road Trail

Applicant: Launceston City Council

Funding Request: $100 000

Total project cost: $350 000

Project description: This project provides for a missing link in the 8-kilometre long Inveresk to Rocherlea Trail. The missing link (0.8 kilometres) will join the existing Rocherlea Old Rail Trail to the Inveresk Trail and connect the area into the city-wide cycling network. It will provide a multi-use off road corridor for recreational users and commuters. The 8-kilometre Inveresk to Rocherlea Trail will also form the first section of the proposed Launceston/North East Rail Trail.

West Tamar Trail – missing link

Applicant: Launceston City Council

Funding Request: $31 000

Total project cost: $63 000

Project description: The project provides for a missing link in the 2.2 kilometre long West Tamar Trail between Kings Bridge and Tailrace Park. Currently vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists are forced to share the West Tamar Marine access road, which has unsealed edges and poor drainage. The project would provide a 160-metre long, 3-metre wide shared pedestrian and bike path that would link the existing trail to the path underneath the West Tamar Highway Bridge to Kings Bridge and into Launceston.

Blue Tier MTB Trail Development

Applicant: Break O’Day Council

Funding Request: $100 000

Total project cost: $1 465 000

Project description: The project is part of the North East Mountain Bike Development Project and includes 40 kilometres of trail network around Blue Tier. The project is expected to provide significant economic and social benefits to the region, including high visitation numbers (local, interstate and international).

Hobart Rivulet Track upgrade

Applicant: Hobart City Council

Funding Request: $100 000

Total project cost: $370 000

Project description: The project is to upgrade 2.5 kilometres of the Hobart Rivulet Track to a 3-metre wide concrete, shared use track between Molle Street and Tara Street. Currently this section of the track has a gravel surface, which becomes very wet and muddy over winter. The Hobart Rivulet track is popular for walkers and cyclists and joggers for either commuting, recreational or fitness purposes.

Jordan River Trail – sealing flood prone sections

Applicant: Brighton Council

Funding Request: $50 000

Total project cost: $100 000

Project description: The project involves the sealing of two flood prone sections in the Jordan River Trail between Brighton and Pontville. The sections are a 160-metre concrete path to complete the track south from Polonia Bridge and a 240-metre section on the Pontville Historic Trail at the northern section of the Jordan River.

Kingston Trail Network – completion of major gap

Applicant: Kingborough Council 

Funding Request: $30 000

Total project cost: $76 000

Project description: The project will join the Coffee Creek Trail to the Whitewater Creek Trail by completing a 180-metre missing section in the middle between Spring Farm Road overpass and the Australian Antarctic Division. Currently trail users must walk or ride along the shoulder of the Channel Highway.

Devonport Great Foreshore Ride upgrade

Applicant: Devonport City Council

Funding Request: $100 000

Total project cost: $250 000

Project description: The project will upgrade a 1 kilometre section of the very popular track between Victoria Parade and Mersey Bluff. It will include a realigned path, clear of sensitive coastal vegetation and an increase in overall width to 3.0 metres.

Source:  http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/media_room/media_releases/cycling_in_a_healthy_state downloaded 7 December 2013 [Link deactivated December 2019]