The Lockington Rail Trail committee has been trying to get a lease on disused track between Lockington and Kotta for two years but are unable to proceed because of current policies around the leasing of land.
VicTrack won’t lease the disused rail line to the community group but would lease it to Campaspe Shire Council for the same purpose, as it has done throughout the state.
Campaspe Shire Council seems unwilling to take on the asset but supports a lease to the rail trail committee.
Speaking in Victorian Parliament, Mr Walsh said the current policies about the use of VicTrack land across regional Victoria were “ad hoc at best, and a shambles at worst”.
He said VicTrack insisted on leasing old railway lines to local councils but not directly to community groups, while it was happy to make community groups responsible for disused train stations and platforms.
“In this case, Campaspe Shire is proving reluctant to get involved as the lessee and VicTrack is just as adamant it does not want to do the deal with the community,” he said.
Mr Walsh said VicTrack has executed leases with incorporated community groups for decommissioned platforms and stations across regional Victoria.
“To add disused railway lines to that list would certainly solve the challenges facing the Lockington group,” he said.
“But to achieve this bureaucratic breakthrough will require the minister to get involved and I am sure there are many communities, not just Lockington, which would appreciate that effort.”
VicTrack is clearing the way for a lease by ensuring the section of rail is not required for future transport.
“While this progresses, we are also in discussions with Campaspe Shire Council about the possibility of converting the former rail line into a rail trail,” a VicTrack spokesperson said.
VicTrack favours councils in order to de-risk ventures like rail trails due to the risk and complexity of constructing and managing the trails long term.
“When assessing an application for a lease, we work with the applicant to ensure they are able to activate the area long term and also meet maintenance and other lease requirements,” the VicTrack spokesperson said.
Campaspe Shire Council general manager community Keith Oberin said the council “supports Mr Walsh’s comments and will continue to advocate on behalf of LDBC and other community groups wishing to gain tenure over VicTrack land”.
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