North East Rail Trail - Stage 3
This project is Stage 3 of the North East Rail Trail and part of a proposed City to the Sea regional trails network.
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. City of Launceston is currently undertaking their due diligence and assessing the project costings and viability with the intent to make a decision regarding a potential partnership with Dorset Council at a future Council meeting.
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.
Further funding is currently being sought.
Updated March 2026
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
April 20, 2026 - Dorset Council Agenda Item 81/2026 (pages 20-26) - Consider the future direction of the North East Rail Trail and its role within a broader regional "City to the Sea" trail network, and to determine next steps to progress this vision.
March 23, 2026 - Dorset Council Meeting Minutes Agenda Item 57/2026 (pages 14-15 and pages 31-32) - Notice of Motion - Councillor Wendy McLennan and Public address of Council Meeting - Fiona Auton, North East Chamber of Commerce)
March 23, 2026 - Dorset Council Meeting Agenda Item 57.1/26 (pages 14-20) - Notice of Motion - Councillor Wendy McLennan
June 23, 2025 - Dorset Council Meeting Agenda Item 105/25 (pages 10-15) - Project update and decision on projects future
January 20, 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
Trail Snapshot - Trail visuals Scottsdale to Lilydale Falls Reserve (2024)
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
Project Timeline
2005 - Launceston to Scottsdale railway line closed.
2012 - Tonganah to Billycock Hill (Stage 1) opened
2015 - Scottsdale to Tonganah (Stage 2) opened
2020 - Dorset Council appointed Corridor Manager of North East Corridor from Lilydale Falls to Tonganah
2021 - Planning approval - Dorset Council section
2023 - Planning approval - City of Launceston section
October 2024 - Revised Business Plan and Costings
December 2024 - City of Launceston in principle support
June 2025 - Dorset Council recommendation to proceed with project
March 23, 2026 - Councilor McLennan Notice of Motion to remove the project from Council strategic plans
April 8, 2026 - Councilor McLennan Notice of Motion Withdrawn
April 20, 2026 - Council recommended to endorse the preparation of a North East Trail Network Master Plan (City to the Sea) linking with the North East Rail Trail.
