North East Tasmania Rail Trail - Stage 3
This project is Stage 3 of the North East Tasmania Rail Trail.
Stage 1, opened in 2012, was developed by the Rotary Club of Scottsdale and volunteers and consisted of 14 km of trail from Tonganah to Billycock Hill. Stage 2, comprising 12 km of trail from Scottsdale to Tonganah, received funding from the Tasmanian Community Fund and assistance from Dorset Council, and was opened in November 2015.
Stage 3 of the project - the largest trail component - is proposed to redevelop the section of corridor between Scottsdale and Lilydale Falls Reserve and provide a critical mass of trail of 66km in length. The project will include installation of associated value-adding infrastructure such as signage and bike racks.
This project will provide a drawcard for visitation to Tasmania with more visitors seeking to 'go off the beaten track'. The development of the rail trail provides the opportunity to further delve into Tasmania's hidden gem - the North East - with the opportunity to ride/walk through forests, hidden towns and explore the 700m tunnel @ Tunnel (one of the few rail tunnels in Tasmania).
Due to the changed societal and economic environment and increase in costs experienced since the projects inception, in 2014, an updated business case has been developed and is available below. A community consultation period was held in late 2024 for submissions regarding the updated business case. A report will be available shortly.
A Notice of Motion was passed at City of Launceston December 12, 2024 meeting to provide in-principal support for the project. Minutes available below.
This project has been assessed by the Northern Tasmania Development Corporation as one of regional significance under the Northern Trails Initiative.
This project has, to date, received funding from the Community Development Grants Program ($1.47M).
Further funding is currently being sought.
Updated January 2025
Project Status
✓ Project Commenced
✓ Business Case Updated
✓ Community Consultation
Funding Process
Tender Process
Construction
Project end
Consultation Details
Project Name | Open | Close | Distribution Details | Engagement Numbers |
| North East Rail Trail - Stage 3 Feedback regarding updated Business Case | 24/07/2024 | 21/08/2024 | 17/07/2024 - Public Notice - Notification of upcoming agenda item - NEA 24/07/2024 - Article - Project Update pages front and 4 - NEA 24/07/2024 - Social media post - consultation open - FB 24/07/2024 - Letter - Adjoining landowners 24/07/2024 - Website updates - alert, project page 25/07/2024 - Email - Previous project stakeholders and interested parties 30/07/2024 - Letter - L&NER 14/08/2024 - Public Notice - Consultation close date - NEA 10/08/2024 - Public Notice - Consultation close date - Examiner 17/18/2024 - Social Media post - reminder - FB 19/08/2024 - Social Media post - reminder - FB July/Aug - Notice in Council Offices Have your Say | 93 |
Document Library
June 23rd, 2025 - Dorset Council Meeting Agenda Item 105/25 (pages 10-15) - Project update and decision on projects future
January 20th, 2025 - Dorset Council Meeting Agenda Item 10/25 (pages 8-12) - Project Update
Consultation Summary Report - Agenda Attachment January 20, 2025
December 12, 2024 City of Launceston Minutes (pages 58-59) - Provision of in-principle support to the North East Rail Trail Stage 3 project concept
Business Case 2024 - October Update
July 22, 2024 Dorset Council Meeting - Agenda Item 142/24 (page 9) - Note updated business case and proceed to community consultation for 28 days
February 2023 City of Launceston Council Meeting - Agenda Item 10.1 (page 20) Planning Approval recommendation Wyena to Lilydale Falls
Parliament of Tasmania - Legislative Council Government Administration Committee 'B' - Final Report on Tasmania's North East Railway Corridor - 2019
Department of Treasury and Finance Tasmania's North-East Rail Corridor - Project Assessment of the Launceston and North-East Railway and the Rail Trail Proposals - July 2018
