Back in 2014, a proposal was put forward by the Dorset Council to convert the abandoned track into a shared pathway linking Launceston and Scottsdale.

What followed was a stoush between those wanting to protect the tracks to safeguard the opportunity for a tourist railway to be introduced and those who wanted to pursue the shared pathway.

What followed was reports from private consultants, a federal government funding announcement, state government intervention on the back of another report, the City of Launceston entering the debate and now the Legislative Council inquiry.

So where we do we stand? Back where we started - with the inquiry agreeing with the state government for the infrastructure to be shared.

In the meantime, Dorset mayor Greg Howard said the time delays have put the $1.5 million in federal funding for the shared pathways at risk.

He told The Examiner last month that the council had "no chance" of meeting the March 2020 deadline to complete the works. He said the pathway would have to be funded by the council.

There is a real risk that, despite the many reports that add up to thousands and thousands of dollars, the future investment in the rail corridor will continue to be delayed due to neither side budging on their plans.

The last two reports indicate a compromise is feasible and needed. Those in favour of the tourist railway are concerned pulling up the tracks for the cycleway would jeopardise future opportunities to expand the service.

In the end, we can talk about this issue for another five years and endorse more reports, or we could get on with the job of investing in the North-East.

The way forward is to compromise, pride to be put aside, and the latest reports to be respected and acted upon.