EOIs Called for SVC Batlow Cider Rail Trail Steering Committee

Published on 19 February 2024

Council is seeking expressions of interest from community members who would like to be appointed as independent external members to Council’s Batlow Cider Rail Trail Steering Committee. 

The Committee's primary goal is to drive the Batlow Cider Rail Trail project forward and provide governance and oversight to meet the project criteria and adhere to the NSW Government's Rail Trails Framework.

As a Committee of Council the Steering Committee will work towards addressing the NSW Government’s essential criteria and work to develop community ownership and partnerships with community stakeholders for the project.

As well as serve as a platform for council and community collaboration, fostering collective insights, expertise, and collaborative decision-making.

The Committee will meet at least three times per year in Tumut or online and its membership will include elected Council representatives, specialised Council and community representatives, and guest experts who may be invited when needed for specialist advice and insights on rail trail impacts.

The proposed Batlow Cider Rail Trail is anticipated to run from the Batlow township to the Apple Thief Cider House.

To progress the project's development, Council must follow the NSW Government's Rail Trails Framework. The framework is segmented into four stages:

1. Proposing a Rail Trail

2. Regulation Process and Rail Trail Lease

3. Construction

4. Operation and Maintenance

The first stage requires the adoption of the idea by Council, which was completed in August 2023, followed by the establishment of a steering committee.

Once the steering committee is established, Council will engage with Transport for NSW as per the guidelines, to progress the leasing arrangements for the rail corridor.

The construction of the Batlow Cider Rail Trail is dependent on suitable and substantial funding becoming available.

As per the NSW guidelines, Council will also need to demonstrate a viable and sustainable business model to meet the essential criteria before funding can be obtained.

Anyone interested in applying for the Steering Committee should visit council’s website at www.svc.nsw.gov.au/eoi

Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday 19 March 2024.

-ENDS-