A Shorten Labor Government will invest $200,000 towards the Kurri Kurri end of the Richmond Vale Rail Trail to add solar lighting, signage, toilets, a miner’s memorial and a paved track for walking, riding and prams.

The plan for the trail is a collaborative effort from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Cessnock City Councils, the Donaldson Coal Conservation Trust, Rotary and the Richmond Vale Rail Trail community group. When it is completed, it will run 32 kilometres to connect the beaches with the vineyards along the lake and old coalfields in between.

The Richmond Vale Rail Trail means so much to so many community groups and members. While Labor understands the track needs a lot of work, we are committed to starting this amazing and important project.

Kurri Kurri lost an entire industry when the aluminium smelter closed down in 2012 and the community is still recovering. The Richmond Vale Rail Trail is an important investment to the community - not only because it preserves our great industrial heritage, but the trail presents us with a unique tourism opportunity.

I commend the hard work from the local community and councils in the lead up to this commitment. I look forward to seeing this project progress if a Shorten Labor Government is elected on 18 May.

TUESDAY 7 MAY 2019