Richmond Vale Rail Trail

15/09/2026

RVRT Non-urban Segments – Some Funding Suggestions – September 2026:

In a recent Facebook Post [August 28th 2026: S2S/RVRT Funding Considerations - Revisited] we highlighted the need for different funding approaches for the longer, more isolated, non-urban trail segments (for which special purpose, targeted funding will almost certainly be required), compared with the shorter, self-contained and largely urban S2S/RVRT sub-sections (which are suitable candidates for existing recreational and active transport programs) [Link to Post: https://www.facebook.com/richmondrailtrail/posts/pfbid02YPvNqxHfkq4p6bwDrc5ZgfPH54dZvDzmmuNkU7orkfytMJnZLAEFuwRy6rrfzxMgl].

At that time, we identified four potential self-contained S2S/RVRT sub-sections (labelled A, B, D and E) that could be prioritised for finalised design and construction funding [which you can also read about on our News page - https://www.richmondvalerailtrail.org.au/news/s2srvrt-funding-considerations-revisited-august-2026]. They ranged in length from 3km to 6km, with approx. costs between $6m and $9m (totalling $28.5m). Two of the urban sub-sections [B: S2S/RVRT Midpoint in Kurri Kurri; and D: Fletcher/Minmi Key Transition & Construction Point] would be prime candidates for community connection focussed funding programs such as Get NSW Active. Sub-section A (a non-urban 5km Wine Country S2S segment) could attract tourism and related regional transition funding, while sub-section E (Beresfield/Tarro Connection) and the whole of the 7.5km Shortland to Tarro segment definitely meets the criteria for the Federal Government’s expanded Active Transport Fund [e.g., a self-contained bicycle or walking pathway that is ‘on or associated with a public road’ – in this instance, the New England Highway (Maitland Road) and the recently upgraded ‘Hexham Straight’].

The current Post is primarily about the non-urban, historic and magnificent Premier Sugarloaf Range RVRT Section (between Lenaghans Drive and Wallis Creek in Buchanan, which we have tagged as sub-section C). It is time to start moving on preserving, protecting, constructing and promoting this critical RVRT corridor, which sits largely within the Stockrington State Conservation Area.

Proposed Non-urban Sub-segments to Prioritise:
While it would be preferable to seek and secure funding for construction of the whole of the RVRT, or alternatively for the full 13km Premier Sugarloaf Range RVRT Section, the reality is that piecemeal but progressive construction of accessible non-urban sub-segments is a more achievable goal.

In considering which non-urban RVRT sub-segments to prioritise, we were mindful of several factors:
1) Uniqueness and Attractiveness, including Key Features (e.g., historic tunnels, cuttings and embankments) and Proximity to Other Nearby Attractions (e.g., creeks; dams; conservation areas; open spaces; and heritage engagement/promotion opportunities);
2) Accessibility (e.g., for both construction and operation, including distance to nearby public roads or trails) and Ease and Cost of Construction (e.g., relatively flat; no major structures required, or utilities or crossings to negotiate; manageable safety and fencing requirements); and
3) Absence of Other Constraints (e.g., existing or pending concept-level approvals; outside of Coastal Wetlands segments; no outstanding land ownership or acquisition issues).

The two accessible non-urban RVRT sub-segments that we are recommending (C-1 and C-2, totalling approx. 9.4km) are marked on the extracted Stylised Map of the ‘Rail Trail & Wetlands Zone’ in Pic01. This image also identifies the parts of the RVRT (brown line) that received concept-level approval in December 2021 [Eastern Section, Sections S5 and S5a, within Newcastle LGA (DA2020/00641)] or May 2023 [Review of Environmental Factors, REF, for Western section (Section S4), within Cessnock LGA].

The unmarked portion in sub-section C (no brown line) is the 2.7km segment within Lake Macquarie LGA, which includes Tunnel #1 and Tunnel #2. Notwithstanding, the REF also covered the Lake Macquarie LGA segment; moreover, it is our understanding that Lake Macquarie City Council will undertake the required internal approvals processes when construction is scheduled. So, both of the proposed RVRT sub-segments (C-1 and C-2) contain a short Lake Macquarie LGA section (approx. 1.8km & 0.9km respectively) and have a larger segment in Cessnock LGA (approx. 2.6km & 4.1km respectively).

The Modified REF General Arrangement Map in Pic02 further illustrates the location of the recommended sub-segments, together with the Tunnels and best Access Points. See Pic04 for recent photos of these Road Access Points (4/9/2026), which currently have locked gates.

The left-hand column of the Table in Pic03 summarises the main features of the 4.4km Proposed C-1 Sub-segment between Dog Hole Road (Stockrington) and the Tunnel Fire Trail Crossing (West of Tunnel #1, Seahampton). Pic05 presents an overview of the C-1 route, while Pic06 and Pic07 showcase the natural and man-made beauty within that area.

Likewise, the right-hand column of the Table in Pic03 summarises the main features of the 5km Proposed C-2 Sub-segment between the Tunnel Fire Trail Crossing (Seahampton) and the Hunter Expressway Construction Access Road (Buchanan). Pic08 presents an overview of the C-2 route, while Pic09 showcases its history and beauty, including some extracted drone images from Bill Landenberger.

We are not suggesting that construction of these sub-segments will be all ‘smooth sailing’; as, no doubt, some unexpected issues will arise and there are 44 Conditions associated with the REF Approval that need to be addressed. On the other hand, it does provide a good opportunity for a host of agencies to demonstrate that they can co-operatively work together [including the participating Councils (Cessnock and Lake Macquarie) and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)]; as well as an opportunity for a concerted collective effort by all tiers of Government, and local businesses and community groups, to support and promote an initiative with demonstrable long-term community and regional benefits.

Hopefully, construction of one accessible, attractive and comparatively straightforward (but otherwise difficult to fund) non-urban RVRT sub-segment within the Sugarloaf Range will, in effect, be a self-sustaining strategy (as users get to experience first-hand the iconic nature of this Hunter Valley trail) – providing a solid stimulus for subsequent grant applications and construction activities by local Councils.

Thanks to all of our RVRT and S2S supporters.

Cessnock City Council
Lake Macquarie City Council
City of Newcastle
Hunter Joint Organisation
Newcastle Cycleways Movement
Clayton Barr MP, Member for Cessnock
Sonia Hornery MP
Tim Crakanthorp MP
Yasmin Catley MP
Meryl Swanson MP
Dan Repacholi MP
Sharon Claydon MP
Pat Conroy MP
Bicycle NSW
Rail Trails for NSW
Rail Trails Australia

15/09/2026

Construction of the next stage of the Jesmond Cycleway Project is now underway … Apart from the local recreational and active transport benefits, this new pathway will improve linkages to Wallsend and the University … and, in the longer-term, contribute to the success of cross-regional projects such as the Composite S2S/RVRT Shared Pathway. Congratulations to City of Newcastle and to the NSW Government for helping to fund this initiative (through the Get NSW Active program).
https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/about-us/news-and-updates/latest-news/city-of-newcastle-rolling-out-active-transport-improvements-in-jesmond #

Construction of almost one kilometre of shared pathway is about to begin in Jesmond to help make it easier to walk and ride safely in the suburb. @

11/09/2026

Marquee Practice and Spring Festival Reminder (September 2026):

It has been a while since we used our RVRT Marquee, so we needed a quick refresher about how to efficiently set it up - and, just as importantly, how to get it back into the bag! Thanks to Prue and Paul for hosting yesterday's get-together.

Reminder: This year’s family-friendly Spring Festival Open Day at the magnificent Hunter Wetlands Centre is on the last Sunday in September (27/9/2026) and everyone is invited to attend - Free entry and "... plenty of things to do and see for visitors of all ages” .

Please also come and say ‘Hello’ to our wonderful volunteers at the RVRT Supporters’ Group Marquee (Stall).

09/09/2026

Thanks Meryl ... You have been a strong advocate for infrastructure improvements and the RVRT ...

09/09/2026

Some Other Shared Posts about the new M1 Extension ...

08/09/2026

M1 Extension to Raymond Terrace is about to open to traffic. Well done to everyone who has contributed to this major piece of regional, state and national infrastructure. Please use it safely ... and watch out for cyclists ... now ... and when future connections to the RVRT are constructed.

Since 2023, the Hunter has watched the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension turn from blueprint to bitumen.

And we’re almost ready to open this new highway to traffic - a year and half ahead of schedule.

Over the coming days, traffic will switch on to the new motorway, opening up the entire 15km stretch of new highway for motorists.

This is a monumental day for the Hunter.

After decades of talk, the finish line is in sight.

02/09/2026

Hunter Wetlands Centre – Spring Festival Open Day – September 27th 2026, 10am – 2pm:

This year’s Spring Festival Open Day at the magnificent Hunter Wetlands Centre is on the last Sunday in September (27/9/2026) and everyone is invited to attend.

As noted in their promotional material: “We're flinging open our doors for another fabulous family-friendly and FREE Open Day showing off our beautiful wetlands grounds and the conservation work we do here! We'll have plenty of things to do and see for visitors of all ages” (see Pic01).

The RVRT Supporters’ Group has a Marquee (Stall) at this year’s Spring Festival; so, please come and say ‘Hello’ to our wonderful volunteers.

Apart from other promotional material (see Pic02), this will be our first opportunity to distribute copies of our new DL sized Postcard. As outlined in a recent Post (25/8/2026), this promotional Postcard showcases the three distinct zones within the proposed Composite 120km Shiraz to Shore and Richmond Vale Rail Trail (S2S/RVRT) Shared Pathway in the Hunter Valley Region of NSW, Australia; Link to previous Post: https://www.facebook.com/richmondrailtrail/posts/pfbid023TN8cq8TSCheorXUiYepGHv7XRDXzHJoQChiMVGjVh4TiBQ3RVgm2k3vyDtujKFKl

Alternatively, if you don’t want to take home a Postcard, you can use your phone to scan one of our related QR Codes (see Pic03) to access more information about the Composite SS2/RVRT, including links to News Items, our July 2026 Newsletter, a YouTube promo, and our Web and pages.

Thanks to all of our RVRT and S2S supporters.

27/08/2026

S2S/RVRT Funding Considerations - Revisited: August 2026

[Link to download a copy of this Post: (8-page PDF):https://www.richmondvalerailtrail.org.au/uploads/1/2/0/4/120411157/facebook_post_-_s2s-rvrt_funding_considerations_-_revisited_-_august_2026.pdf ]

In a Facebook Post from earlier this year [April 27th 2026: It’s Time to Start Constructing the Richmond Vale Rail Trail (RVRT)] we noted: “It is also becoming increasingly obvious that local Councils find it very difficult to accumulate, attract or allocate funding for major community-enhancing cross-regional recreational, active transport and/or tourism-oriented projects like the RVRT or the broader Composite S2S/RVRT Shared Pathway. Essentially, we need the State Government to make major funding contributions, with proportionate assistance from Federal sources”.

Similarly, in our July 2026 Newsletter (https://www.richmondvalerailtrail.org.au/news/july-2026-newsletter-extracted-topics) we said: “Shorter, localised trail segments that connect established facilities like schools, parks and town centres are likely to be suitable candidates for existing programs (e.g., Get NSW Active), which typically fund short-term (deliverable) projects costing up to $5m”. By comparison, the “… long, non-urban segments of the proposed Composite S2S/RVRT” … “will require targeted funding to help move them forward” – which includes the majority of the outstanding 34km ‘Rail Trail & Wetlands Zone’ (the middle portion of the S2S/RVRT - see Pic01).

The Federal Government’s expanded Active Transport Fund will make a major contribution in this regard, particularly for shorter, self-contained projects; although smaller, regional Councils may have difficulty meeting the co-contribution requirements.

S2S/RVRT Cost Estimates:

During the last decade, several Planning Reports have provided cost estimates for parts of the RVRT (e.g., Socio-economic Impact Assessments; Environmental Impact Statements; DA and REF Reports; and the 2023-24 S2S Concept Plan and associated documents); however, there is no single up-to-date estimate that can be referenced. We have reviewed all of these documents and applied an Inflation Component (at a cumulative rate of 3% per year) based on the year in which the original estimate was provided. On this basis, a current ballpark estimate for full construction of the RVRT would be around $52m to $58m. The full Composite 120km S2S/RVRT would be expected to cost around $110m, or roughly double the cost of the RVRT on its own.

It is also important to acknowledge that none of the 34km RVRT trail exists at present; on the other hand, the non-RVRT components of the Composite S2S/RVRT comprise approx. 86km, of which approx. 47k already exists [e.g., the Hermitage Road Cycleway, Nulkaba to Cessnock Shared Pathway, Tramway Track and Glendale to Speers Point Shared Pathway, and a mix of pathways between Wallsend and Newcastle City/Beach]. It should also be noted that the remaining funds required for the urban S2S/RVRT components are likely to progressively drop (slightly) over time as local Councils secure grants for small sub-sections or make use of other contributions.

Moreover, as we have noted on several occasions - individual Councils are ultimately responsible for the S2S/RVRT shared pathways within their LGAs, including: route choices; staging, funding and construction strategies; timelines, promotion and maintenance – and, in the latter regard, having sufficient funds to construct a quality trail, as well as an integrated, cross-regional approach, should help to reduce ongoing maintenance costs and optimise the trail’s benefits.

Prioritising S2S/RVRT Sub-sections:

Our Conference-style Presentation from earlier this year (March 2026) included some illustrative approaches to funding the S2S/RVRT (https://www.richmondvalerailtrail.org.au/news/updated-presentation-about-composite-s2srvrt-shared-pathway-hunter-valley-nsw-march-2026). Pic02 provides an updated image, with adjusted cost estimates; in this instance, we have used an anticipated base cost per km of $1.5m (for Sub-sections A, B and D) and $2.0m per km for the more complex Sub-sections (C and E), which require either additional structures (e.g., bridges or retaining walls) or will have higher pavement costs.

The four potential self-contained S2S/RVRT sub-sections (A, B, D and E) in Pic02 range from 3km to 6km and could be prioritised for finalised design and construction funding, two each within Cessnock and Newcastle LGAs. These were selected because they are sufficiently small and self-contained to be suitable candidates for standalone grant applications. They were also chosen on pragmatic (and achievability) grounds and because they highlight the diversity of S2S/RVRT linkages and benefits.

Construction of Sub-section A could be tied in with celebrations for the 2028 Bicentennial of Commercial Wine Growing, while construction of Sub-section E will certainly contribute to improved active transport links between Beresfield/Tarro and Newcastle, as well as links to the new M1 Extension. Sub-sections B and D are important community linkage and transition points.

Our RVRT Supporters’ Group members and affiliates have a very strong preference for the initiation of construction within Sub-section C – that is, the middle portion of the RVRT (see Pic02).

Again, as noted in our recent Newsletter:
“The other critical non-urban segment is the historic Premier Sugarloaf Range RVRT section between Stockrington and Wallis Creek in Buchanan (within Cessnock and Lake Macquarie LGAs), which is effectively the ‘jewel in the crown’ for the Composite S2S/RVRT – given its uniqueness, overall attractiveness and tourist-drawing potential (e.g., three brick-lined 1904 railway tunnels; embankments and cuttings; access to several conservation areas; and heritage and educational value)”.

An initial goal (for the non-urban trail segments) would be to find some targeted funding for Sub-section C, or a commitment to design, construct and open the 5km sub-segment between Dog Hole Road and the Tunnel Fire Trail crossing (West of Tunnel #1) [Sub-segment C-1: approx. cost $10m] – which is showcased in Pic03, Pic04 and Pic05. We will detail the next 5km sub-segment in another Post [C-2, which includes Tunnel #2].

This 5km sub-segment would be: accessible from either end (via public roads – Dog Hole Road and George Booth Drive); relatively straightforward to construct; introduce the public to the beauties of the Stockrington State Conservation Area; and provide an opportunity for a host of agencies to co-operatively work together [including the participating Councils (Cessnock and Lake Macquarie), NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), all tiers of Government, and local businesses and groups]; as well as featuring former railway embankments, cuttings and Tunnel #1, views to the Hunter Expressway, and access to nearby natural features such as Burrenjim Dam and Blue Gum Creek – essentially, an encapsulated version of the Sugarloaf Range segment of the RVRT.

Again, as noted in our July 2026 Newsletter:
“We need a concerted collective effort to secure targeted funding for the ‘Rail Trail & Wetlands Zone’ to both preserve and protect these historic corridors and ensure that the 120km Composite S2S/RVRT becomes a reality”.

Thanks to all of our RVRT and S2S supporters.

Constructive Comments and Feedback Welcome.

Cessnock City Council
Lake Macquarie City Council
City of Newcastle
Hunter Joint Organisation
Dan Repacholi MP
Meryl Swanson MP
Sharon Claydon MP
Pat Conroy MP
Clayton Barr MP, Member for Cessnock
Sonia Hornery MP
Tim Crakanthorp MP
Yasmin Catley MP
Newcastle Cycleways Movement

25/08/2026

Richmond Vale Rail Trail (RVRT) Supporters’ Group – Postcard-based Promotion: August 2026

In preparation for future community events, we have produced a DL sized Postcard which showcases the three distinct zones within the proposed Composite 120km Shiraz to Shore and Richmond Vale Rail Trail (S2S/RVRT) Shared Pathway in the Hunter Valley Region of NSW, Australia; see illustration in Pic01.

Ongoing goals: to increase awareness about the Composite S2S/RVRT Shared Pathway proposal and its benefits; and to help progressively move this proposal forward.

A simplified Stylised Map is shown on the Front of the Postcard (see Pic02), while the Back presents an overview of the trail and the key themes and locations within each zone (see Pic03). Additionally, News Items on our website can be accessed via the QR code on the Postcard.

The Links referred to on the Postcard are listed in the Notes to Pic03. You can also download a Postcard ‘Handout’ containing the contents from this Post and related links (see Pic01).

As illustrated in Pic04, there is an associated YouTube video (3 Min. 41 Sec. Link: https://youtu.be/y4KMahuBcw0 ); and you can read more about the current status of the S2S/RVRT proposal in our July 2026 Newsletter.

Ongoing support for the Composite S2S/RVRT Shared Pathway is required from local communities, businesses and all tiers of government.

Shorter, localised trail segments (e.g., connecting schools, parks and town centres) are likely to be suitable candidates for existing funding programs; however, non-urban trail segments will require targeted funding – which includes the majority of the outstanding ‘Rail Trail & Wetlands Zone’.

Please express your support for the Composite S2S/RVRT in communications with your local Council and Councillors, and with your State and Federal representatives, especially over the next 6 months during the lead up to the NSW Election (March 2027).

You can also show your support by joining (no fees) or following the RVRT Supporters’ Group.

Separate Posts will provide information about the community events that we are attending and S2S/RVRT funding strategies.

Thanks to all of our RVRT and S2S supporters.

RVRT Supporters’ Group Contacts:
E-mail: [email protected] ; Webpage: https://www.richmondvalerailtrail.org.au/;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richmondrailtrail/ .

22/05/2026

Congratulations (again) to We Ride Australia, Bicycle NSW and all of the other groups who advocated for increased Federal spending on Active Transport. The 'front-loaded' and COAG-based nature of these allocations means that there is approx. $11.2m for NSW during the 2026-27 year (Budget Paper No. 3) ... So, City of Newcastle and other Hunter Councils need to get moving if they hope to secure some of this funding for their Walking and Cycling initiatives.
City of Newcastle
Lake Macquarie City Council
Cessnock City Council
Maitland City Council
Newcastle Cycleways Movement

Budget update 22 May 2026 Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King is changing the game for walking and cycling and...