NORTHERN TRAILS INITIATIVE

The Northern Trails Projects will improve connectivity within and between our special places, encourage active lifestyles, and contribute to the northern Tasmanian brand as a draw card for world class mountain bike trails and promotion of our natural environment. These exemplar projects showcased in the Northern Trails Project include:  

  1. Launceston to Legana Shared Trail ~$46M- West Tamar Council  

  2. Kate Reed Reserve: Mountain Bike Infrastructure $9.75M - City of Launceston  

  3. Hobart Road Shared Pathway $900,000 - Northern Midlands Council 

  4. North East Rail Trail - Stage 3 $5.6M - Dorset Council

  5. Cressy Shared Pathway $1.7M - Northern Midlands Council

  6. Northern Midlands Shared Pathways Network $11.7M

These projects were presented to a forum of 50 northern leaders on 20 September 2023. As part of the forum leaders were asked to provide their thoughts on projects presented.

Specifically

  1. What three words describe the benefits to Northern Tasmania, of the project’s success?

  2. What is the order of regional priorities that the project addresses?

    • Building prosperity

    • Contributing to the culture of the north

    • Contributing to the health of the environment

    • Contributing to the Northern Tasmanian and Tasmanian brand

    • Improving wellbeing and social outcomes

 

The word cloud and circle bar graph here reflect those leaders’ collective view.

Launceston to Legana Shared Trail- estimated cost $46M 

  • 7km Riverside Foreshore Trail estimated cost: $10.4M  

  • 10.8km Legana Foreshore Trail estimated cost: $35.6M  

  • Shared connectivity created along the Tamar River estuary between Launceston City to Legana.  

  • Mixture of suspended boardwalks and 3m wide paths will connect people to the kanamaluka/Tamar River estuary and provide a pedestrian and bicycle path network.  

  • Private and public land tenure.  

  • Status: Pre-feasibility Stage concept plans and preliminary costings completed. 

    For more information, please contact West Tamar Council

    P: (03)6323 9344, E: wtc@wtc.tas.gov.au

Kate Reed Reserve: Mountain Bike Infrastructure $9.75M

  • South of the Prospect suburb is a key location primed for residential growth on the border of Launceston, Meander Valley, and Northern Midlands Councils.

  • Located close to the area identified for residential growth, and existing suburbs, and nestled between two arterial roads, the Kate Reed Recreation Area holds potential for state-wide mountain biking trails and recreation facilities.

  • Optimizing this recreational reserve with master-planned infrastructure including MTB skills park and pump track, 30km of shared MTB trail network, and public use facilities will provide both the local community and visitors from further afield with high-quality recreation facilities close to the centre of Launceston.

  • Project cost – estimated at $9.75M

For more information, please contact City of Launceston Council

P: (03)6323 3000, E: contactus@launceston.tas.gov.au

Hobart Road Shared Pathway

  • The project will create a safe, accessible, off-road shared pathway from Youngtown into the Northern Midlands, connecting with the off-road shared pathways from the Breadalbane roundabout to the airport, and from the roundabout into Perth.  

  • The 4.6km long shared pathway will be constructed on the western side of Hobart Road. The pathway will enable Launceston residents to cycle/walk to/from work at the airport, TRANSlink precinct or Perth.  

  • It will enable Northern Midlands residents to cycle/walk to/from work or educational institutions in the city and encourage residents to incorporate active transport into their everyday life.   

  • Council has secured funding through the State Government’s Better Active Transport in Tasmania grants program to enable work on the first section of shared pathway to commence in 2024/25.

  • A further $900,000 is required to enable completion of the project.  

  • For more information, please contact Northern Midlands Council

    P: (03) 6397 7303, E: council@nmc.tas.gov.au

North East Rail Trail - Stage 3

  • 40 km re-development of rail corridor from Lilydale to Scottsdale, for non-motorised multi-use recreational purposes; bike riding and walking, including the construction of signage, interpretation, and bike rack installations.

  • Will link with existing 28km of rail trail from stage 1 and 2 from Scottsdale to the Billycock to provide a critical mass of trail of approximately 70km in length.

  • The project will result in creation of greater economic activity via increased visitation to the region as well as the economic stimulus resulting from development of support industries and businesses (accommodation, hospitality etc.).

  • This will occur through attraction of new visitors, retention of current ones, increased spending and the generation of new and expanded business opportunities. There are a number of smaller localities along the route who do not currently have any viable retail businesses which may be reversed through the implementation of this project.

  • Business case completed.

  • Support Requested

    Trail Construction Total - $4.2M

    Additional Components Total - $1.4M

    Total Project Cost - $5.6M

  • For more information, please contact Dorset Council

    P: (03) 6352 6500, E: dorset@dorset.tas.gov.au

Cressy Shared Pathway

  • . Council is progressively developing the Northern Midlands Shared Pathways Network which is developing safe, accessible, off-road shared pathways between and within the towns in the ‘top end’ of the Northern Midlands.

  • This project relates to the shared pathway proposed between Longford and Cressy.  This pathway includes several stormwater culverts, drainage works, safety treatments, and signage.  

  • This shared pathway will decrease crash costs for cyclists, scooter riders, and pedestrians who are diverted from the road environment.

  • It will improve community connectedness, increase perception of community safety, improve quality of life, and increase lifestyle options as different travel mode choices become available.

  • Project Cost: $1.7 M

  • Project Timeframe: 12-18 months

  • For more information, please contact Northern Midlands Council

    P: (03)63 977 303, E: Council@nmc.tas.gov.au

Northern Midlands Shared Pathways Network

  • This project aligns with State and Regional Plans aiming to address Tasmania’s poor health status by developing community-focused infrastructure that delivers preventative health outcomes

  • The project will create a safe, accessible, off-road pathways network that encourages more people to walk/cycle/scooter as part of their everyday lives. The network will stretch from Longford, through Perth, past Devon Hills, and into Launceston at Youngtown, passing Launceston Airport and the TRANSLINK commercial, industrial, and logistics precinct on the way.

  • It will provide Northern Midlands residents with more liveable and accessible communities. It will enable Launceston residents to walk/cycle/scooter to work in the airport and TRANSlink precincts and to access the flat country roads that radiate throughout the Northern Midlands and into Meander Valley.

  • Project Cost: $11.7M

  • Project timeframe: 18 months (once funding is secured)

  • For more information, please contact Northern Midlands Council

    P: (03)63 977 303, E: Council@nmc.tas.gov.au