Wattle Range Council is being urged to negotiate with the State Government to take care and control of 15km of former railway line between Millicent and Tantanoola.

It is over 30 years since the line carried any freight traffic and Councillor Moira Neagle has long advocated it being converted to a cycling and walking trail.

She has submitted a notice of motion for debate at the first council meeting of 2023 in Millicent this afternoon.

According to Cr Neagle, council taking over the 144-year-old corridor will ensure that it controls the former railway line and avoid others purchasing sections of it.

“This will allow Wattle Range Council to develop the former railway line as a walking/bike trail within the Millicent township on its determined timeline as one stage of the overall 15km trail,” Cr Neagle said.

“The longer section will create a connection to Millicent for those campers using the (Tantanoola) railway lands.

“Council is better placed to manage the maintenance (mowing) of the former railway line.

“The Limestone Coast Local Government Association has a rail trail strategy which would support any grant applications Wattle Range Council made to help fund all stages of such a long-term project.”

The State Government listed the former Millicent railway station and surrounding parcels of land for sale over four years ago and two have been bought by private interests.

A third parcel of land measuring 1.55 hectares and facing Towers Road went under contract late last year.

A Penola/Coonawarra walking and cycling trail along the former rail line was built by Wattle Range Council last year.

Most of the $2.1m cost was met by grants from the federal and state governments.