The possibility of a 15km walking and cycling trail on the former rail line between Millicent and Tantanoola appears to be unlikely.

According to a staff report to the monthly meeting of Wattle Range Council in Millicent this afternoon, all railway land parcels in the Millicent township have now been sold by the State Government to private interests.

Council had endorsed a motion from Councillor Moira Neagle in January to negotiate with the State Government to take care and control of the former railway line between Cattle Bridge Road in Millicent to the centre of Tantanoola.

Such negotiations were to be subject to consideration of a staff report on the proposal.

In his report, chief executive Ben Gower recommended the resolution be revoked.

He pointed out there were prohibitive “red tape” difficulties, access issues and maintenance costs.

“The section of the rail corridor between Rocky Camp Road and the centre of Tantanoola has not been declared surplus to State Government requirements and is unlikely to be considered for disposal as it is of limited value to the private sector,” Mr Gower said.

“In relation to the Cr Neagle resolution, it is important to note that Wattle Range Council can only be assigned care and control of Crown land that is owned by the Minister for the Environment.

“For the above resolution to have affect, the Minister for the Environment would have to purchase the land from the Minister for Transport, which is a highly unlikely scenario given the current condition of the former rail corridor.”

Mr Gower said an alternative way to secure tenure over this land would be through a lease or licence as is the case with the Penola/Coonawarra Rail Trail.

“The timing of any lease or licence should be carefully considered, as Wattle Range Council would inherit a degree of maintenance responsibility for this 15km long corridor, and access to the former rail line in its current state is limited,” he said.