The Greens are encouraging of the moves to utilise disused rail corridors and said the North East Rail Trail has huge potential for the region.

“Rail travel is an important part of Tasmania’s story and heritage. We look forward to seeing legislation that would respect and build on this unique heritage,” Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor said. 

Tamar Bicycle Users Group president Malcolm Reid said the development is an indication of changing attitudes to cycling in the state.

“It's clear that more and more people are seeing cycling as a central and crucial part of our everyday life now,” he said.

“The more people that ride the North East Rail Trail, the healthier our society will be.”

Northern Tasmania Development executive officer Maree Tetlow said the trails were good for tourism numbers, as well as being an important community asset.

She said the development of the trails builds on the brand northern Tasmania is developing as a cycling destination. 

“It certainly is another step in right direction to be able to leverage the branding around use of trails in the north and north-east and to become renowned for that type of opportunity in Australia and globally,” she said. 

Mr Reid said the trails would attract more visitors to the region.

“We expect, based on surveys that have been done and our member experience, the rail trail will attract lots of new potential visitors to northern Tasmania and that will have a spin off effect to businesses,” he said. 

Mr Reid believes if the development of the Rail Trails is to have maximum benefit funding needs to be secured to bring the trail right into Launceston.

He said current funding only gets the trail as far as Coldwater Creek, about 15 kilometres from the city. 

He would like to see the trail link with the existing rail trails around Inveresk and Heritage Park.

Labor will consider the legislation once it is tabled.