Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan

Consultation has concluded. Thanks to everyone who contributed

The Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan was developed by Snowy Valleys Council in collaboration with Tredwell to provide an integrated strategic approach to link towns and villages across the Region. The Master Plan was adopted by Council at the March 2023 Ordinary meeting.

The Snowy Valleys Tracks and Trails Masterplan is an aspirational plan – a vision of what our region’s tracks and trails network could look like in the long term, boosting tourism and local recreation opportunities.

As part of the plan, five priority new development projects were identified. Projects include a trail concept plan and a business case, and where appropriate high-level costings and a review of environmental factors to assist in obtaining funding to complete the work.

Gudja Gudja Mura Trail
Tumbarumba to Hume and Hovell Track (Tooma Rd Walking/Cycling Path)
Tumut River Walk (Elm Dr off-road alignment and signage)
Batlow to Tumut Rail Trail (Stage 1: Batlow to Wybalena)
Waterfall Drive Trail (establish and promote new Tourist Drive Route)

Council received $270,000 in funding through the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund Stream 2 for the master planning process. There are no funds allocated in this funding for tracks and trails building or maintenance.

Gudja Gudja Mura Trail
Tumbarumba to Hume and Hovell Track (Tooma Rd Walking/Cycling Path)
Tumut River Walk (Elm Dr off-road alignment and signage)
Batlow to Tumut Rail Trail (Stage 1: Batlow to Wybalena)
Waterfall Drive Trail (establish and promote new Tourist Drive Route)

Consultation has concluded. Thanks to everyone who contributed

Trail Projects Prioritised for Funding

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10 August 2023
Council has prioritised three significant projects identified in the Snowy Valleys Regional Tracks and Trails Masterplan to ensure a clear plan is in place should suitable funding become available.
The three projects are:
The Tumut River Walk Project - an opportunity to elevate the Tumut River Walk by upgrading the road portion of Elm Dr to incorporate an off-road alignment that improves pedestrian safety and allows for spectacular views of the Tumut River. Interpretation signage will also help to create a narrative that acts to generate a positive experience for trail users.
The Batlow to Tumut Rail Trail - Stage 1: Batlow to Wybalena - provide an 8km return trail with a gentle gradient that is dedicated off-road and safe.
The Gudja Gudja Mura Trail – The Ngarigo Toomaroombah Kunama Namadgi Indigenous Corporation (TKNIC) developed a proposal for a recreation trail (walk/cycle) from Murray’s Crossing to the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail utilising a Travelling Stock Route.
Read more via this news article - Significant-Trail-Projects-Prioritised-for-Funding
Masterplan adopted by Council

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20 March 2023
Council adopted the Snowy Valleys Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan at its March Ordinary Meeting after reviewing community feedback garnered from the public exhibition period.
The Draft Masterplan was on public exhibition from 24 November 2022 to 10 January 2023 and 29 submissions were received in total. Comments and responses on the points raised in the submissions were summarised in the report to council.
20230316 - REPORT 10.5. SNOWY VALLEYS REGIONAL TRACKS AND TRAILS MASTERPLAN - FOR ADOPTION
Council endorses draft document for public exhibition

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24 Novemeber 2022
Interested community members can now look over the draft Snowy Valleys Tracks and Trails Master Plan, which has been released for Public Exhibition.
The documents are on public exhibition from 24 Nov to 10 January 2023.
Read more via this link: Draft Tracks and Trails Master Plan on Public Exhibition
Regional Tracks and Trail Master Planning Attracts Local Knowledge

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10 June 2022
Snowy Valleys Council has been pleased with the calibre of input from the people who have contributed their ideas and local knowledge to help inform the development of a Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan.
The scope of the project is to create a long-term blueprint for the future and provide a clearly outlined program of prioritised trail and tracks infrastructure development for scoping and further investigation to assist with future funding applications.
The Master Plan will guide decisions about the management of, and investment in, future tracks and trails development across the Snowy Valleys.
To help inform the plan, community members were invited to participate in a range of engagement activities during May including an online survey, two virtual community workshops and two in-person workshops.
This allowed participants to articulate why tracks and trails are important to them and to the broader tourism offering of the Snowy Valleys, discuss what improvements they would like to see on any of the region’s existing tracks and trails, and note any proposals or ideas for new tracks or trail developments.
Participants were also able to get a clearer understanding of the master planning process and the anticipated final outcomes of the completed plan.
Click here to read the full story
Community Workshops and Online Survey

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HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:
We need your local knowledge! Treadwell is keen to connect with a variety of communtiy groups and individuals to gain input into the development of the Master Plan including Walking Clubs, MTB Clubs, Cycling Clubs, Trail Running Clubs, Trail Riding (horse) Clubs, Rail Trail Committees, Friends of Groups, Tourism groups, Lions/Rotary Clubs and Progress Associations.
ONLINE SURVEY
Click the link to take our online suvrvey - Surveymonkey.com/r/SVTracksTrails(External link)
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
Please register to attend a workshop at either Tumut or Tumbarumba to provide in-person input into the development of the Master Plan.
- Tuesday 17th May | Time: 6pm - 7.30pm |Venue: Tumut Boys Club Hall
- Wednesday 18th May | Time: 6pm- 7.30pm |Venue: Tumbarumba RSL Memorial Hall
Please register by emailing admin@tredwell.com.au(External link)
VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
Two online virtual workshops will be held for those unable to make the community workshops. Please register and follow the link to your preferred workshop date and time.
- Monday 9th May | Time: 6pm - 7.30pm |Platform: Zoom | Register: tinyurl.com/SVCTrailsVirtual1(External link)
- Tuesday 10th May | Time: 6pm - 7.30pm |Platform: Zoom | Register: tinyurl.com/SVCTrailsVirtual2
Invitation to contribute to Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan

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29 April 2022
Council is inviting individuals and community groups interested in outdoor recreation and tourism to contribute their ideas and local knowledge to help the development of a Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan.
CEO Matthew Hyde says the completed master plan will be a high-level strategic and aspirational planning document that will outline a vision for tracks and trail development across the Snowy Valleys Region over the next 10 plus years.
“We have engaged Tredwell Management Services to work with us on the development of the Master Plan which will guide decisions about the management of, and investment in, tracks and trails development across the Snowy Valleys into the future,” Mr Hyde said.
Council received $270,000 in funding through the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund Stream 2 for the master planning process.
Click here to read the full story
FAQs

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Q. What is the SVC Regional Tacks and Trails Master Plan?
The SVC Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan will be a high-level strategic planning document that outlines a vision for tracks and trail development across the Snowy Valleys Region.
It will be an aspirational plan – a vision of what the region’s tracks and trails network could look like in the long term with a ten+ year horizon.
It will reflect community ideas and aspirations, land manager input, research on tracks and trail user needs, and best practice planning principles.
Its purpose is to better link the towns and villages across the Region to create a more cohesive and strategic approach to harnessing the opportunities that tracks and trails provide for outdoor recreation and tourism.
Q. Why is Council developing a Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan?
The Master Plan is being developed to guide decisions about the management of, and investment in, tracks and trails development across the Snowy Valleys.
The Master Plan will also aim to provide a vision of what the tracks and trail network across the Snowy Valleys will look like in the future - for the community, council, land managers and state agencies such as National Parks and Forestry, and the private sector.
Q. How much will it cost and who’s paying for it?
Council has received $270,000 in funding through the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund Stream 2 for the master planning process.
There are no funds allocated in this funding for tracks and trails building or maintenance.
Q. What will the Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan do?
The Master Plan aims to:
- Create a long-term blueprint for the future
- Provide a clearly outlined program of prioritised trail and track infrastructure development across the Snowy Valleys region over a minimum ten-year period.
- Provide a long-term view that allows for budget and concept planning for future prioritised infrastructure projects.
- Propose prioritised future upgrades to existing tracks and trails
- Purpose new tracks and trails for scoping and further investigation to assist with future funding applications.
Q. What’s involved in creating the Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan?
The Master planning process will involve
- Economic analysis and market research
- Review of any existing documentation/plans
- Community and stakeholder engagement
- Physical geography review
- Development of an informed and prioritised plan for embracing the recommended key tracks and trail opportunities, including cost estimates and delivery options.
Q. Why do we need a plan, can’t we just start building tracks and trails?
Tracks and trails are expensive to build and maintain. Poorly planned or constructed trails, or unsanctioned trails, can negatively impact on the environment, are difficult to maintain, and provide a poor user experience. Having a well-documented plan demonstrates the broader strategic context to each project which will support future applications for funding to develop the region’s tracks and trails network.
Q. What is a track/trail?
A trail is defined as an established route, path, track or water body that can be used for non-motorised recreation, such as walking, running, cycling, mountain-biking, horse-riding and paddling.
Trails typically have unsealed or natural surfaces and pass-through natural areas, parks, reserves, or urban areas. Trails vary in distance and can be interconnected routes linked and navigated with signage and maps. Trails can be used for commuting, exercise, recreation, conservation, and tourism experiences.
Q. How will the Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan deal with a priority list of projects?
The Master planning process will allow for community input into track and trail prioritisation and the ability for project scoping and feasibility reviews of existing and future trails to be undertaken.
Some of the tracks and trail proposals that will be described in the plan will be flagged as “Priority Trails”.
These trackes or trail networks will be selected based on their integral nature to achieving the region’s vision of becoming a world-class trails destination. They will be flagged to be incorporated into local and state government planning documents as projects of regional importance that require prioritised funding.
Other trail proposals included in the plan will still be important but will be of lower priority. They provide ‘value-added’ trail experiences for residents and visitors and should be incorporated into local trail plans and implemented as and when funding is available.
Q. How does the community get to be involved and when?
Your local knowledge is integral to the Master planning process.
Council is keen to connect with a variety of community groups and individuals to gain input into the development of the Master Plan.
- ONLINE SURVEY - take our online survey before the 22 May at Surveymonkey.com/r/SVTracksTrails
- COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS – register to attend a workshop – email: admin@tredwell.com.au
1. Tuesday 17th May | Time: 6pm - 7.30pm |Venue: Tumut Boys Club Hall
2. Wednesday 18th May | Time: 6pm- 7.30pm |Venue: Tumbarumba RSL Memorial Hall
- VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS – register to attend an online workshop
  1. Monday 9th May | Time: 6pm - 7.30pm |Platform: Zoom | Register: tinyurl.com/SVCTrailsVirtual1
  2. Tuesday 10th May | Time: 6pm - 7.30pm |Platform: Zoom | Register: tinyurl.com/SVCTrailsVirtual2
Q. When is the Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan project expected to be finished?
The Master planning process aims to be completed by October 2022 and a Draft Snowy Valleys Regional Tracks and Trails Master Plan will then be presented to the Council in November 2022 for endorsement for public exhibition.
Q. Who can I talk to about this project and where can I find more information?
To discuss the project personally please contact Council’s Coordinator Place Activation, Kayley Dickinson on 1300 275 782 or email info@svc.nsw.gov.au.