Sheryl Lowe, Naracoorte Community News
The Penola/Coonawarra Rail Trail was discussed at length at the July Council meeting with elected members faced with choosing between two options for the future of the project.
A further almost half a million dollars to complete the planned route or reduce the length of the trail to cut costs was discussed in a 15 minute break from official proceedings.
Additional costs have been incurred due to unexpected changes along the disused railway line with privacy for residents a consideration according to Council.
Diverting the trail away from the line for a short distance to keep users away from the close proximity of private residences has been an unexpected expense.
In addition, the contractors needed access ramps at strategic locations along the railway tracks for the trucks to negotiate their loading and unloading materials and will be used by Council in the future to move maintenance machinery on the rail trail when it is operation.
A variation in the amount of gravel to bring the level up to the required height encompassing the variations in the tracks and further carparking areas.
A full breakdown of costs was provided to the elected members with the following summary provided in the agenda.
Options 1 – Increase the budget to $2,565,310 to allow for all current variations to the project and complete all four stages of the project.
Option 2 – Reduce the scope of the project by deleting works to complete Stage 3 which is the section from Glenroy Bool Lagoon Road to Penola Hundred Line and not install footpath lighting as proposed for Stage 4 within the Penola Township – $2,062,875
Various aspects of the project had already been reduced including the removal of bike racks, water fill stations, bike maintenance stations, connections to significant landmarks, toilets outside of what has been completed at Coonawarra Memorial Park and car parking works including Coonawarra and Penola sidings.
The costs do not include the surface issues in stage 1 which could relate to rotting rail sleepers which may result in a variation.
The report made to Council stated, that even if the project did not proceed with Stage 3, the project may exceed the budget should any further variations occur.
During discussion Cr John Drew said he didn’t have an appetite to spend another $1/2m on the project, it would be a good idea to wait until Naracoorte is ready to complete their proposed trail.
A successful motion was moved by Cr Peter Dunnicliffe for Option 2.
Dir Peter Halton answered questions from elected members at the July meeting about varying the project saying, Council would need to inform the Federal and State Government of any changes.
Funding for the project consisted of $1.7m of Federal funding with the State Government and Wattle Range Council each contributing $200,000.
The $2.06m project has made headlines since its inception with its original route from Penola to the Hundred line Road at Glenroy, changed to follow a disused service road through farming land to cross the Riddoch Highway to Father Woods Park.
The change became the subject of several deputations and petitions to council on behalf of the land owners Mr and Mrs Peter Hocking who stood to have their business disrupted and to incur costs of up to $55,000 for fencing and additional costs for land transfer costs and the relocations of loading yards.
The variation in the project will mean the trail will not proceed to the Hundred line past the disused service Road through the Hocking’s farm.
Mr Hocking and his daughter were in the gallery watching the proceedings.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
Related stories: Rail trail concerns process and outcome; Rail trail project divides farm and council.
