I’ve written and spoken many times about my great enthusiasm for the Richmond Vale Rail Trail and earlier this month I met with a number of others who share my commitment to making this dream a reality.
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Representatives from Newcastle and Cessnock City Councils, the Donaldson Coal Conservation Trust, Rotary and the Richmond Vale Rail Trail gathered at the Station Hotel, Kurri Kurri to plot the next steps.
The trail will follow the old coal line through parts of Cessnock, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie council areas, providing an active transport link between Newcastle and the vineyards and benefiting nearby Maitland.
Yes, the trail presents us with a unique tourism opportunity. First and foremost, however, it will be built for locals. It will give us a place to get moving and immersed in our natural environment. It’s also an important nod to our industrial heritage, while helping us move forward into the future.
It was wonderful to hear Newcastle Council’s project manager Geoff Wickens reaffirm a commitment to the project, and to have Cessnock Council’s acting strategic planner Emma Crosdale join the discussions in such a positive way. Soon-to-be District Governor, Brian Coffey, of Maitland Rotary, shared the fabulous news that his organisation was willing to sponsor a toilet block.
An Environmental Impact Statement will go on public display on July 1 and Maitland, Lake Macquarie and Cessnock and Newcastle Councils will be invited to comment. I would encourage anyone who is interested in this project to make a submission.
In the meantime I will work to reform the committee that was in place when the feasibility study was commissioned.
You can get behind this awesome project by joining the online community at facebook.com/richmondrailtrail. More information will also be available from your local council.
KURRI KURRI, YOU ROCK!
Take a bow, Kurri Kurri. You’ve done it again. The Nostalgia Festival of 2018 was a tremendous success. I had the honour of opening the event with Cessnock Mayor Cr Bob Pynsent and Miss Cessnock City, Molly Rayward.
I’m always swept up by the vibe that engulfs the town and this year was no different. People flocked from all over the country to take part in our yearly celebration of all things rock ‘n’ roll.
In a straw poll down the main street I was pleasantly surprised by how many out-of-towners were drawn to Kurri Kurri for the vintage dress, cars, dance and music, and even happier to learn that many now consider NostalgiaFest a must-do on their annual list of events.
I must give a shout-out to the gorgeous #SassSquad, some of whom I’m photographed with above. Again, none of these beautifully dressed folk are locals but their presence at and dedication to our event certainly add to its theatre and atmosphere. Thanks for visiting our town. We’ll see you next year!
HISTORIC MURAL MAKES FOR A GRAND STAND
I was very proud to help Kurri Kurri Rugby League bring its glorious historic mural to life by securing the club funds through a Stronger Communities Grant.
The mural, which pays tribute to the under-19s clash of 1959 between the Bulldogs and Muswellbrook, was painted by artist Daniel Joyce. It appears in front of the ground’s old wooden stand and celebrates the integral role the club has played in the Kurri community. Congratulations to club treasurer Angie Peterkin for bringing her idea to life.
