Upper Molonglo Rail Trail Scoping Project - Case Study Example

Upper Molonglo Rail Trail Scoping Project Name: ID: Subject: Lecturer: Tutor: Executive Summary Rail trails offer convenient access to various regions within Australia. This is attributable to the minimal traffic and gradient challenges of the trails. However, rail trails require substantial government support in funding their construction, as well as, their continued maintenance. This offers the context of this feasibility study that seeks to analyze the proposed project in order to obtain funding for its implementation. Funding channels require an in-depth analysis of the project to identify its viability in terms of benefits obtained by the stakeholders. For this reason, this feasibility study seeks to analyze the proposed project of the Upper Molonglo Rail Trail that runs from Bungendore to Captain’s Flat (Thistleton 2014, p.1).It will highlight the benefits obtained from the successful implementation of the project; hence determine its economic viability. The study also seeks to analyze previous successes of rail trail projects to forecast the effects of the Upper Molonglo Rail Trail on the community. As such, this study offers insight on the utilization of funds in rail trail projects in the development stage, as well as, their maintenance after completion. Introduction Construction of rail trails follows along an old railway line or an operating railway line. Their distinction involves the history of the railway line in which construction takes place, as well as, the level of grading (Hasham 2014, p.4). The trail’s intended users included cyclists, walkers, and horse riders. At first, cyclists became the most common users of rail trails to connect to the interior parts of Australia. This was so because the eased vehicle traffic along the trails and level gradient made them a safe means of transport. It is apparent that the construction of trails occurs under strict guidelines for quality assurance especially in terms of the gradient (Railtrails Australia Inc. 2006). In modern-day Australia, the emergent trend of recreational cycling has created the need for upgrading the trails to facilitate this activity and prevent their deterioration. In brief, the history of the rail trails traces back to the 19thCentury during the gold rush. Mineworkers used the trails to push cart while transporting gold to various regions. However, the use of these trails became dormant after the era but has lately become a centre of attraction for tourists; thus, the government seeks to revive them. The proposed Upper Molonglo Rail Trail Project seeks to take advantage of the unused rail line offering beautiful scenery (Krause & Bay 2014). The Proposed Route: Status The rail trail connects the two areas; Bungendore and Captain’s Flat in rural NSW near Canberra (Dwyer 2014). The old railway line connecting the two areas ceased operations approximately 40 years ago; hence, some of its infrastructure needs replacement. The steel railway line remains intact up to this day; thus, it acts as a guiding structure for the placement of the rail trails. The trails will ideally follow the abandoned railway line along the same route previously used by trains (Rail Trails Australia 2006, p.5). The railway lines also contribute in maintaining a low gradient on the trails to facilitate its use by cyclists. In addition, the railway stations remain erect although private owners leased them through renewable lease agreements. These offer guidelines to the project developers on areas to establish stations with facilities such as restaurants, motels, and shops among other facilities required by trail users. Moreover, the bridges along the railway line will facilitate the project since the trails can utilize the bridges and save on construction costs. Particularly the bridge over Molonglo River connecting Hoskins town and Captain’s Flat functions well and it provides a panoramic view of the lovely landscape. It is also worth noting that the goods sheds along the corridor still exist along the areas where cargo trains offloaded their luggage. Besides, the brick culverts incorporated along the railway line remain functional, preventing flooding in the surrounding areas. These will save construction costs by enabling the rail trails to run above the culverts; instead of building new ones. Finally, the weighing bridge at Captain’s Flat remains intact; thus, conserving the history of the railway line and its operations. Therefore, the railway station, steel rails, and the weighing bridge conserve the history of the railway line that contributes to tourist attraction in the area. Geographical Features Concisely, the railway line in focus begins at Bungendore located near Lake George and possesses several attractive geographical features. It passes through the countryside with a view of the beautiful landscape offered by the geographic features. As such, rail trail users will comprise a large number of tourists who visit the region for recreational purposes. Besides, the railway line acts as a connecting path to the countryside residents and promotes access the extensive countryside. The second geographical feature found in this region is the Molonglo River Valley, which offers a spectacular view along the rail. It is located a few miles from Bungendore village and the bridge enables people to cross Molonglo River. Tourists use the bridge constructed across the river to enjoy the surrounding scenery (Dennis 2010, p.35). On the other hand, the railway line passes through forested hills covered by indigenous vegetation and animals that grace the environment with a sense of nature. For instance, the Lowden Forest Park offers a spectacular tourist attraction, consisting of rare species of trees and wildlife. Moreover, the expansive pastureland marks the surrounding areas of the railway line where livestock feed and use the abandoned railway line as a connection between one paddocks to another. Flood plains are also visible when travelling along the rail track where some farmers leased land for farming purposes. Tourist Attractions Molonglo rail trail offers an opportunity to increase the number of tourists that frequent the railway route. Bungendore is located a few kilometers from Canberra, a well-known town for cyclist tourism. Therefore, development of the trail will promote this mode of tourism in the region by offering more space for cyclists (Weston & Mota2012).In addition, the gradient of the trail offers a safe ground for cyclists and walkers; thus, encouraging more cyclists to visit the region. For instance, cyclists will be able to hold their competitions on the rail trail and this will promote cyclist tourism in the country (Thistleton 2014, p.4). Secondly, Bungendore village holds a rich history in the numerous historic buildings and other artwork. For instance, the Woodworks Gallery reflects the culture of the people entertaining tourists while offering refreshments, food, and accommodation. Besides, the regular transport services offered in the area also facilitate the ease of movement to and from the area. Moreover, Captain’s Flat offers mining heritage that began in the gold rush era and facilitated the construction of the railway line. The area possesses mines that tell the history of the region and acts as a key tourist attraction. Therefore, maintenance of this heritage will attract more tourists to the region to enjoy the rich history offered by Captains Flat. On the other hand, the Molonglo River Valley attracts tourists to the region and holds the potential to attract more people in the region (Thistleton 2014, p.3). It is also apparent that, the proximity of the rail track to Sydney offers it a competitive advantage and attracts more tourists to the region and the beautiful scenery increases the potential of the rail trail to attract users from all over the country (Mundet & Coenders 2010 p.568). From entrepreneurial lens, the trail will attract the establishment of more businesses along the trail to serve the visitors. For instance, accommodation facilities particularly attract tourists to spend more time on the trail and visit several attraction sites. Therefore, hosting overnight visitors expands the economy of the region since the expenditure of visitors increases with the duration of their stay. Benefits of Rail Trials in Australia The construction of rail trails along unutilized and abandoned railways offers several benefits for the community. Foremost, it promotes the growth of businesses along the route and encourages the emergence of new investments. The economic benefit emerges from the large number of potential customers using these routes. Reports from health records indicate that rail trials in other localities in Australia serve as wellness sites. The health benefits obtained from the trails occur due to the improvement of fitness and leisure facilities offered by the rail trails (Weston & Mota2012). In these areas, trails offer a substantial ground for joggers, walkers, horse riders, as well as cyclists, which improve the health of the participants and encourage a healthy lifestyle (Gordon, Zizzi & Pauline 2004).Research shows that every $1spent on recreational activities on the trails yields a medical benefit of $2.94. Therefore, medical benefits to the country’s GDP amount to $5,000 to $7,000 annually, whereas the society reaps an economic benefit of $850 to $2,550 annually. This lifestyle change facilitates reduction of obesity burden that costs Australia approximately $1.3 billion per year. In addition, the safe environment offered by the rail trails values life upwards at $46,000 per year. This statistical life value considers the rate of amortization at $1.1 million per life. Adopting the cycling lifestyle families reduces expenditure on purchasing motor vehicles; thus, enabling households to save $5,000 to $16,000 annually (Gordon, Zizzi & Pauline 2004). Some of the landscape projects included in the construction of the trails maintains the beautiful natural environment in the region covered by the trails. Fire management near the rail trails benefits with the improved traffic movement and the convenience bridge reconstruction. As a result, the upgraded rail tracks promote tourism along the route as tourists visit to enjoy the beautiful countryside view (Gordon, Zizzi & Pauline 2004).This aspect is reaffirmed by investment reports that indicate that rail trail construction creates approximately eight jobs annually; thus, promoting employment for people in the region. In this scenario, job creation is attributable to the wide range of activities along the route that require varying levels of skills; hence requiring employment of additional workers. Research shows that every $82,000 spent along the route creates a new job for the rail trail workers. As such, the project offers the opportunity for the investment in supporting services such as restaurants, motels and banking institutions. These activities facilitate the implementation process involved in the project execution. They also facilitate the users of the rail trail by offering convenient basic services for their comfort (Mundet & Coenders 2010 p.661). Barriers to Development Funding poses a major barrier for the implementation of the rail trail development since the project requires funds from the planning to the final stage. Thus, this project relies on funding from local authorities, as well as, the national government for its commencement. Another possible problem will emerge after the construction of the trails over the maintenance of the project because it will require consistent funding. Secondly, the community residing in the areas close to the rail trail also expresses a high degree of concern on their welfare in an event that the trail becomes operational. The major concern involves their property and the subsequent affects the trail construction poses on their property rights. Therefore, the project committees need to involve the community in planning the project to identify major concernsand devise measures to address the problems. This will facilitate the community’s reception of the project and ensure their active participation in the implement process (Willard & Beeton 2012). Crime claims have also emerged on the list of concerns raised by the community through meetings and various community forums. Some of the crimes likely to pose a threat to the security of people residing near the trails comprise of vandalism, trespassing, and theft among other antisocial occurrences (Willard & Beeton 2012). The community, particularly the farmer with farms adjacent to the trails expresses concerns about the destruction of their property to pave way for the construction. The users of rail trails would likely take part in the theft of property along their way and encourage social problems such as drug abuse within the community. Stakeholders and Support Groups The development of the Upper Molonglo Rail Trail involves various interest groups that influence the decision to take up the project. Foremost, the New South Wales (NSW) holds the responsibility to develop the trail since it falls under its jurisdiction (Arianne & Carla 2012). The local government enables the funding and the overall coordination of stakeholders in implementing the project. On the other hand, thePedal Power Groups hold a major interest in the project since cyclists seek to benefit majorly from the rail trail development. Cyclists’ organizations need to participate in the project to offer recommendations for facilities that will enhance cyclists’ experience along the trail. Regarding environment, the Molonglo Catchment Group will deal with environmental and social issues in the trail development. They advocate for environmental conservation and measures to prevent dumping through proper waste disposal. The Australian Railway Historical Society caters for the conservation of the history held by the railway through preservation of some of the infrastructure. Despite the abandonment of the railway lines, they still preserve the national heritage and act as a tourist attraction. The Cultural Heritage Management needs consultation in the development of the trail in Bungendore since the cultural heritage is part of the tourist attraction in the area. Moreover, Hoskins Healthy Shire and the Captains Flat Bush Care Group also have a beneficial input in the project planning and implementation. Private landowners and real estate agents also need representation in the project since their properties will be affected by the project. Similarly, communities residing along the rail trail require representation since its operation has direct impact on their lifestyles (Rail Trails Australia 2014, p.2). Political Environment The Upper Molonglo Rail Trail falls under the jurisdiction of the New South Wales (NSW) and under approval of the parliamentary committee. However, state laws pose a barrier to the development of the rail trail since they prevent the use of railway lines for other purposes. In an effort to address the legal challenge, the Labor Party pushed for the amendment of the laws in the previous term but the opposition blocked their efforts (Whan 2014). Despite this political stalemate, Bungendore community actively supports the development of the rail trail and willfully offers their support (Mike Halliburton Associates& TPTY LTD 2007).In order to ensure the success of the project, the Palerang Council has been mandated to oversee the project’s planning process and invite feasibility reports from the citizens. The reports enable determination of the project’s viability before commencing the implementation process. Costs From a project management perspective, cost-benefit analysis enables the determination of a project’s economic viability. To determine the anticipated costs, other rail trails can act as a point of reference. The costs incurred in their development can offer an estimated cost of the Upper Molonglo Rail Trail. However, real costs are determined on factors such as the inflation rate, competitiveness of contractors, material availability, material costs, and quality, as well as, the level of advertisement for tenders (MHA& TPTY LTD 2007). The cost indicators for the project include the cost of materials, the construction work, and supportive facilities necessary for the proper functioning of the rail trail. The first step involves clearing, grading and trail alignment estimated to cost $2/M2. The fencing of the trail will cost $6.50 per meter, whereas safety railings will cost approximately $75/M2 (MHA& TPTY LTD 2007). Re-decking of the bridge will also require funding of approximately $1,100/M2; the major road crossings cost $4,000 while minor road crossings will cost $1,500. In addition, trail surfacing will cost $7/M2, drainage $1/M2, re-vegetation/screening $5/M2, weed removal $1/M2, trailhead $5,000 - $25,000, and signage $1.50/M2 (MHA& TPTY LTD 2007). Moreover, the actual path construction will cost approximately $60/M2, which will cater for labor costs. These cost drivers cover the fundamentals of the project execution and therefore additional facilities might elevate the projected costs. Conclusion In a brief conclusion, the Upper Molonglo Rail Trail project appears to have great impact on environment, economy, health, political, and the social aspects of the community along the route. Foremost, the project will promote tourism in the region and benefit the residents. However, this project faces numerous challenges including funding, lack political will and resistance from residents over property rights and safety. Despite these challenges, the Upper Molonglo Rail Trail is an economically viable and feasible project that would attract sponsors. The viability emerges from the numerous benefits anticipated from the project that exceed costs attributed to the execution process. References Arianne, CR & Carla, J 2012, Rail trail development: a conceptual model for sustainable tourism, Taylor & Francis Group, vol. 9 no. 2, 133-147. Bertz, C J, Bergstrom J C & Bowker J M 2003, ‘A Contingent Trip Model For Establishing Rail-Trail Demand’. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 46 (1) 79-96. Dennis, JP 2010, Capital region tourism- towards a cycle tourism strategy, University of Canberra, Canberra. Dwyer, T 2014, Coordinator for Bungendore to Captains Flat Rail Trail, Town & County Magazine, 30 June, viewed 5 April 2015 http://www.townandcountrymagazine.com.au/story/2381185/coordinator-for-bungendore-to-captains-flat-rail-trail/ Gordon, PM, Zizzi, SJ & Pauline, J 2004, Use of a community trail among new and habitual exercisers: a preliminary assessment, Preventing Chronic Disease, vol. 1 no. 4, viewed 5 April 2015, Hasham, N 2014, ‘Outdoor Enthusiasts Chuffed as Rail Trail Funding Gathers Pace,’ The Sydney Morning Herald, June 29, viewed 5 April 2015, Krause, J & Bay, B 2014, ‘No Endorsement for Rail Trail’ Sydney Morning Herald, 23 March, viewed 5 April 2015, Lindsay, G., Macmillan, A., Woodward, A. 2011, ‘Moving Urban Trips from Cars to Bicycles: Impact on Health and Emissions’. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 35(1), 54-60. 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