Hilltops Council has officially established a Rail Trail Oversight Committee to oversee the proposed Boorowa Galong Rail Trail project, but concerns remain over how well local voices are being heard.
The Council put out a call for Expressions of Interest in January 2025, inviting community members and interested parties to nominate themselves to be part of the committee.
The group was formally appointed in May and includes a mix of community, landholder, and Council representatives.
The members are:
• Hilltops Councillors — Deputy Mayor Tony Flanery and Councillor James Blackwell
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• Boorowa community representative — Marty Corcoran.
• Landholder representative — Nikki Burton Taylor.
• Galong Progress Association — Judie Suttor.
• BGRT Inc. representatives — Jim Ryan and Paul Parker
• Council staff
The committee held its first meeting on May 7 in Boorowa to meet each other, review the terms of reference, and elect Councillor James Blackwell as Chair.
Regular bi-monthly meetings will continue, with additional special meetings as needed.
A second meeting was held on Tuesday, June 3, where the committee met with Ian Jordan from Transport for NSW.
The main focus was to gain a clearer understanding of the process Council must follow before it can even apply for state government grant funding to construct the full trail.
Ian Jordan explained that securing a 30-year lease on the rail corridor is just one part of the process, and that several key requirements must be met before the project can progress to that stage, including:
• Thorough consultation with landholders — to ensure their concerns are heard.
• Community consultation — including discussions with the Local Aboriginal Land Councils, NSW Farmers, and Local Land Services (LLS).
• Compliance with the NSW Government Rail Trails Framework, including demonstrating community support.
Although the Council and BGRT Inc are proceeding on the assumption that there is general community support and no significant opposition for this proposed project, some residents argue that community and landholder concerns have not been fully addressed.
Future meetings of the committee are scheduled bi-monthly on the first Wednesday of the month, with additional special meetings to be called as needed.
Community members are encouraged to stay informed and to reach out to their representatives to have their concerns heard.
Community Voice: Marty Corcoran Calls for Community Input on Rail Trail Proposal
Boorowa local Marty Corcoran has been appointed as the community representative on the Rail Trail Oversight Committee, tasked with raising community concerns and ensuring local voices are heard as the Boorowa Galong Rail Trail project unfolds.
At a recent committee meeting attended by Ian Jordan from Transport for NSW, Marty put forward a series of important questions on behalf of Boorowa residents.
His focus was on ensuring transparency, accountability, and clarity around what the project will mean for the local community.
Key topics raised included:
• Use of Past Consultations — It was asked whether findings from previous community consultations, such as those commissioned by the BGRT Inc in 2022, would still be considered.
Ian confirmed that past findings should be submitted as part of the process, as they provide a valuable timeline — but he also stressed that consultation is ongoing and subject to review.
• Defining ‘Community Support’ — Marty sought clarification on how community support is measured.
Ian explained that Transport for NSW looks at evidence such as Council resolutions, public engagement, and documented consultation — but it is ultimately up to Council to define the boundaries of “community.”
• Funding Clarity and Risk — it was raised if Hilltops Council would be liable to cover funding shortfalls if grant money ran out before trail completion.
Ian confirmed: Yes — Council would need to either scale back the project or fund the gap themselves.
• Long-Term Financial Sustainability — it was queried how far into the future Council must plan to cover the ongoing costs of maintaining the trail.
Ian stated that Council must demonstrate it can fund maintenance for the entire 30-year lease period.
These questions reflect the broader community’s concerns about the potential impact of the rail trail on local services, rates, and other priorities.
Some locals are worried that grant funds will run dry before the trail is completed or that ongoing costs will become a burden on the community.
Marty is committed to ensuring that every Boorowa resident has a chance to be heard and that Council’s decisions reflect the views of the people who live and work here.
Have Your Say
If you have questions, concerns, or would like to share your views about the proposed rail trail, Marty encourages you to reach out to him directly at martycorcoran44@gmail.com
Your input is vital to ensure that community perspectives are properly represented as the project progresses.
Landholder Concerns: Nikki Burton-Taylor Advocates for Local Farmers
Local farmer Nikki Burton-Taylor has been appointed as the landholder representative on the Rail Trail Oversight Committee, with the responsibility of ensuring that the voices of landholders along the proposed Boorowa Galong Rail Trail are heard and addressed.
Nikki brings firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by landholders whose properties border the proposed trail.
At the June 3 meeting with Transport for NSW, Nikki raised several critical issues on behalf of local farmers, including:
• Minimal Consultation to Date — Nikki highlighted that engagement with landholders has been inadequate, with important issues still unresolved.
Ian Jordan acknowledged that while there is no prescriptive rule for engaging adjoining landowners, Councils must demonstrate that they are actively listening and responding.
He also noted that consultation is an ongoing process, not a one-off event.
• Biosecurity Risks — Nikki raised concerns about biosecurity, including the spread of weeds and disease through increased movement along the trail.
Ian confirmed that a Biosecurity Plan is being developed in consultation with Local Land Services and that this would be assessed against the NSW Rail Trails Framework.
• Bushfire Risk — Nikki questioned the increased fire hazards associated with public access.
Ian responded that while fire hasn’t been a major issue in other trails, peak fire season closures and bushfire planning should be considered locally.
• Public Liability and Safety — Questions were raised about who is responsible if trail users are injured or damage occurs.
Ian explained that Council would need to address liability in the lease arrangements and demonstrate appropriate planning.
• Farm Theft and Privacy — Nikki raised the potential for trespassing, livestock stress, and theft.
While Ian did not respond in detail, he reiterated that Council must engage with Local Land Services and other agencies early to address these concerns.
• Fencing and Crossings — Landholders asked who would be responsible for new fencing and safe crossings.
Ian clarified that Council would be required to install and maintain new fencing along the corridor as part of the lease.
Road and property crossings are included in the Development Plan.
If crossings involve state roads, Council must work with Transport for NSW.
At this stage, there are still no definitive answers to many of these practical concerns, causing ongoing stress among landholders.
A recurring theme in responses from Transport for NSW was that key responsibilities — from consultation and biosecurity to fencing, liability, and funding — will fall to Council.
This raises serious questions about whether Hilltops Council has the capacity and resources to take on such a significant workload.
For many landholders, the undertone is clear: can this Council realistically afford to deliver, manage, and maintain the rail trail project over the 30 year lease?
Have You Been Contacted?
Nikki is committed to representing all landholders along the proposed rail trail route, including those who have not yet been formally consulted.
If you are a landholder along the corridor and have not yet been contacted by Council or BGRT Inc, please reach out to Nikki at nikki@kennyscreek.com.au to ensure your voice is heard.
Nikki believes that local farmers’ concerns must be fully addressed before any rail trail project proceeds.
Weekly Series to Keep You Informed
The Rail Trail Oversight Committee is only the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a complex and potentially divisive project.
Right now, Council must determine whether there is genuine community support for the trail before it can move to the next stage.
This is a crucial step — but one that’s proving difficult when communication with the broader community has been limited.
To help bridge that gap, we’ll be publishing a weekly series of articles highlighting different aspects of the proposed Boorowa Galong Rail Trail — from funding and maintenance to community effects, landholder impacts and planning requirements.
Keep reading each week to stay informed and ensure your voice is part of the conversation.
BOOROWA TO GALONG RAIL TRAIL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
