Monaro Rail Trail

The Monaro Rail Trail is a proposed tourism infrastructure project that would provide game-changing benefits to the visitor economy, and serve as a significant asset for community recreation and active transport.

The trail, approximately 210km in length, would run from Queanbeyan to Bombala and be an enabler for economic and social outcomes along the route, including in the hospitality, retail, accommodation and services sectors.

QPRC’s Economic Development & Marketing team are continuing to work closely with Snowy Monaro Regional Council, Monaro Rail Trail Inc, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Destination Southern NSW to progress planning and explore funding opportunities for the project.

QPRC Support

At the 14 September, 2022 Council meeting, QPRC resolved to provide in-principle support for the Monaro Rail Trail and continue to:

work with project stakeholders (including Snowy Monaro Regional Council) to bring the concept to an investment-ready position;
identify suitable models for a partnership with SMRC;
explore potential lease arrangements for the rail corridor with Transpost for NSW;
identify options for connecting the MRT into the Queanbeyan CBD and other local cycle networks, and
identify funding opportunities for construction of the initial stage of the MRT.

In December 2022, a grant application by SMRC (supported by QPRC) was successful under the Business Case and Strategy Development Fund for a further $273,000 to provide a Trail Development Plan for additional sections of the proposed MRT route, as well as biodiversity and biosecurity plans.