SAVE THE DERWENT VALLEY RAILWAY
DERWENT VALLEY RAILWAY SLAMS PROPOSAL TO TEAR UP HISTORIC TRACKS FOR "UNWANTED" CYCLEWAY
The Derwent Valley Railway (DVR) has formally announced its strong opposition to the Derwent Valley Council’s proposal to remove the historic rail line between New Norfolk and National Park to construct a cycle/footpath/horse trail/powered bike track.
The Railway warns that the proposal is a short-sighted move that ignores the region's heritage railway option and will shift a significant financial burden onto the Derwent Valley ratepayer.
Ratepayers to Foot the Bill. Under the current railway model, maintenance liabilities and costs for the corridor rest with the DVR, not the ratepayer. The DVR warns that replacing the tracks with a cycleway will immediately transfer these future maintenance costs to the Derwent Valley Council (DVC). Any lack of future maintenance could create a severe fire risk for local people.
"If this proposal proceeds, ratepayers will inevitably see their rates rise or local services reduced to fund the upkeep of a cycleway," a DVR spokesperson said. "Furthermore, a cycleway would require the construction of public toilets at a huge capital and ongoing maintenance cost to the Council. Our trains already have onboard toilets—a cost the Council does not have to bear."
Irreversible Loss of Heritage and Tourism. The proposal threatens to destroy 150 years of heritage that, once removed, can never be reinstated. The Derwent Valley’s unique tourist drawcard would be lost forever, along with the significant local economic spend that local, national and international rail tourists bring.
"This proposal creates a scenario where job and training opportunities provided by the DVR are lost, and the economic spillover into the town becomes negligible," the spokesperson added. "Cyclists can use existing roads and paths; a heritage train cannot."
Safety and Emergency Concerns. The DVR also highlighted serious safety concerns regarding the conversion of the rail corridor. Residents have raised fears that a cycleway will become a "ready-made getaway track" for property theft and illegal motorbike use (with no access for police vehicles to patrol effectively), as has been experienced in other parts of the country.
Additionally, the rail corridor currently serves as a vital emergency response option during floods and bushfires - a capability that would disappear entirely if the tracks are removed.
Lack of Demand. The Railway asserts that there is no genuine demand for this cycleway outside of regional enthusiast groups, whereas the heritage railway enjoys broad support.
The Derwent Valley Railway urges the Council to abandon this proposal and instead support the regeneration of the rail line for the benefit of the entire community.
The Derwent Valley Railway needs to hear from you.
With the current proposal that could see the railway line removed and replaced with a cycleway, we want you to let us know how you feel about this potential loss of a huge heritage asset for the valley.
Please email us with your thoughts as soon as possible, so we can get a clearer picture on what the railway means to local people.
Do you think we should look to make the railway Heritage Listed? Again, let us know what you think.
Don’t wait until it’s too late!
We can be contacted on: dvr@dvr.org.au
IMPORTANT NOTICE: TEMPORARY CLOSURE
Derwent Valley Railway
Please be advised that the Derwent Valley Railway will be closed to the public on Saturday, 31 January 2026, between the hours of 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
This temporary closure is required to hold a Special General Meeting.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this two-hour window and thank you for your cooperation.
All the latest Derwent Valley Railway news…
Special General Meeting
and
2026 New Year Member's Social
Venue: New Norfolk Station
Date: 12pm Saturday 31st January 2026
Special General Meeting
Purpose: Members Vote on proposed changes to the Rules of Association
(as circulated for review last year)
Meeting Time: 12:00pm to 12:15pm
NB: Photo ID will be required for voting
Formal Meeting Notice
will be emailed to financial members
prior to meeting.
Followed by Member's Social
Stay on and join us for a
Sausage Sizzle
Tea / Coffee / Soft Drinks
Get to know your fellow members,
check out our new workshop and
current projects.
Please RSVP by 24th January
to assist with catering
Car Boot Sale Season Kicks Off for 2026
EVENT POSTPONED
(until February 2026)
Our rapidly growing Car Boot Sale is back for 2026, bigger and better.
Sunday 25 January 2026, will see the first event of the New Year and all are welcome.
There will be the usual eclectic mix of items for sale, with the added bonus of a sausage sizzle and coffee/drinks van on site at the DVR Station.
Come and grab yourselves a bargain before celebrating Australia Day.
Plenty of parking on site and toilet facilities available in the station building.
Put it in your diaries and don’t miss out!
Premier Rockcliff visits the Derwent Valley Railway
On November 27, 2025, the Derwent Valley Railway was privileged to host a visit to our New Norfolk Station, Yard and Workshop by the Hon Jeremy Rockcliff MP, Premier of Tasmania.
Accompanied by Cr Michelle Dracoulis, Mayor of Derwent Valley, Anthony McConnon of Southcentral Workforce Network and members of the DVR, the Premier toured our facilities and demonstrated a keen interest in our heritage rolling stock and the new Geoff Clayton Railway Workshop. He actively encouraged the DVR to make contact with the Hon Kerry Vincent MLC in his capacity as Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.
By necessity a non-partisan organisation, the DVR nevertheless recognises the benefits of forming constructive relationships with all levels of government, and we look forward to welcoming Minister Vincent to our New Norfolk base.
The Official Opening
Honouring the memory of long-time member and generous benefactor, Geoffrey John Clayton, the Derwent Valley Railway officially opened our new Community Workshop and Training Centre, located in the New Norfolk Railway Yard, on Wednesday, 12th November.
Joined by our honorary Ambassador, popular 7 Tasmania News personality Kiah Wicks, DVR Chairperson Nigel Shearer and Deputy Chair Bronwen Gunning welcomed distinguished guests, representatives of training organisations and DVR members in celebrating our 35th anniversary and the graduation of our first cohort of senior students in our inaugural Skills Pathway Program.
Students from New Norfolk High and Glenora District Schools, did themselves, their families and their trainers proud with their enthusiasm for learning and carrying out railway-related trades activities.
Graduates were presented with certificates of achievement and honorary membership of the Derwent Valley Railway. A great time was had by all, despite the inclement weather that settled over New Norfolk throughout the event.
Many thanks to DVR stalwart Greg Robinson for developing and delivering the training curriculum, and to:
Lola Cowle - Manager of the Tasmanian Community Fund, for our capital works grant
Michelle Dracoulis - Mayor of Derwent Valley
Stuart Lord - Principal of New Norfolk High School
Anthony McConnon and Andrew Mackie - Southcentral Workforce Network
Martin Killick - TAFE Tasmania
Boyer Mill and
Liverpool Engineering.
Photos of the Official Opening appear in the November edition of ‘ON TRACK’.
Bumper Car Boot Sale and Vintage Car Display
coming to the Derwent Valley Railway,
Station Street, New Norfolk
in early 2026: watch this space for details
Support your heritage railway
Donate your unwanted items
Run your own stall
Enjoy a sausage sizzle
Make new friends or catch up with old ones…!
Click on the links to read back copies of ‘ON TRACK’:
‘ON TRACK’
The Derwent Valley Railway Preservation Society Inc monthly newsletter for members and friends
Westerway Railway Station
Subject to the approval of TasRail, Derwent Valley Council and the Heritage Council of Tasmania, the DVR plans to carry out major plumbing, electrical, carpentry and cosmetic works at Westerway Station within the next 12 months. Anyone with trade skills and experience interested in working on the site is invited to contact the Secretary by emailing dvr@dvr.org.au or writing to PO Box 478 New Norfolk Tasmania 7140.
Westerway Station is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register. Built by R H Stabb and Son in 1909 under a tender awarded by the Public Works Department, the Station was called Russell until 1919 when it was renamed to honour local identity William Henry Westerway, who ran tours to Russell Falls for visitors to the guest house he constructed opposite the Station. The former guest house is now a private residence occupying a substantial acreage.
The DVR recently invited builders accredited by Heritage Tasmania to submit quotations for preparation of a building condition report and schedule of works necessary to render the Station habitable, in anticipation of returning the structure to its original use if and when passenger train journeys from New Norfolk to National Park are reinstated. We are now in negotiations with TasRail to progress this objective.
Improving our Governance
The Board of the Derwent Valley Railway is reviewing members’ submissions in response to the revision of our Rules of Association. The revision is intended to remove confusing definitions and outdated provisions, and improve current and prospective members’ understanding of our corporate governance.
As a consequence of the recent, intensive voluntary work undertaken to complete our new Workshop and Training Centre and deliver the first phase of student training, a Special General Meeting for members to consider the formal adoption of revised Rules will now be arranged for early 2026.
Complementing the proposed changes to the Rules, the Board has this year adopted new or updated, easily understood and succinct policies dealing with:
Members’ Code of Conduct
Board Members’ Code of Conduct
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Social Media; and
Privacy.
These policies and a new Communications Protocol adopted by the Board may be downloaded on the Membership page of this website.
On Sunday 15th December 2024, a confirmed case of arson in the New Norfolk rail yard resulted in the complete destruction of ‘Tullah House’, a new lunchroom and relaxation area meticulously fitted out and painted by our hard-working volunteers.
The reason for this senseless attack and several subsequent break-ins, destructive acts and graffiti vandalism is unknown. Members have questioned the perpetrators’ motives, and whether the DVR is the subject of an orchestrated campaign of property violence by people with an inexplicable grudge against the Railway.
Anyone with information that helps bring to justice those responsible for the various attacks on the Derwent Valley Railway is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000, or the Police Assistance Line, 131 444.
Members and friends may be assured that this setback will not distract us from our mission to restore heritage train services on the Derwent Valley Line as soon as possible, and we are pleased to report that repairs to Tullah House are nearing completion.