Federal government funding for a cycling and walking track in the north-east would revitalise the region's economy, it has been claimed.
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The federal government made its $3 million funding announcement earlier this month.
Funding will see 70km of former rail corridor transformed into world-class cycling and walking track between Launceston and Scottsdale.
North East Cycling Track chairwoman Sarah Hirst said that the new section of trail would link to 28km of rail trail already completed by the Scottsdale Rotary Club.
``This will enable cyclists and walkers to sip, savour, spend and explore their way through spectacular natural scenery and through the rural hamlets of Karoola, Lalla, Lilydale, Tunnel, Lebrina, Nabowla, Lietinna, Scottsdale and onto Tullendena,'' she said.
``The trail also includes an 840-metre-long tunnel constructed in 1888 at Tunnel.
``This is very exciting news for north-east Tasmania.
``Rail trail conversions throughout Australia, New Zealand and Europe have been hugely successful in rejuvenating rural communities by offering real, long-term social, economic and environmental benefits.''
An economic Benefit Assessment of the North East Rail Trail, prepared for Northern Tasmania Development by TRC consultants, showed that more than 23,000 people a year would walk or cycle the trail each year, growing to 35,000 trips after 15 years.
The report estimates the value of rail trail tourism at $3.5 million a year to the region, five years post construction, with flow-on impact to the state as a whole of $6.8 million.
Mrs Hirst said that plans were already being developed for additional B&Bs, luxury and hostel-style accommodation, conference centres, boutique breweries, bike hire businesses, tour companies, restaurants, cafes, art galleries, open farms, vineyards and farm gate experiences along the rail corridor.
``The opportunities are endless,'' she said.
``A study of three Victorian rail trails (Beeton, 2009) showed that recreational cyclists are a high-yield and high-spending market and typically stay longer.
``The average spend per visitor is $244 per day and with indirect expenditure on items such as accommodation, this figure is $447 per person per day.''
The project will be managed by Dorset Council and includes three major components:
- The decommissioning of the existing rail infrastructure.
- The construction of the trail surface.
- Construction of decking and hand rails on bridges.
