The latest attempt to reactivate part of a rail corridor which has been shut for 30 years for use by bike riders and walkers will kick off on Sunday.
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Rail Trails for NSW is looking to expand on the success of the Murray to Mountain rail trail on the southern side of the Murray River with a trail from Corowa to Burrumbuttock via Balldale and Brocklesby - a distance of more than 50 kilometres.
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In order for a rail trail to be established, the former rail corridor must be officially closed by the state government.
The Culcairn to Corowa rail line was last used by passenger trains in the mid-1970s, forcing the population of townships in between into decline.
But on Sunday at the Balldale Hotel, which is under redevelopment and aiming to open in early November, the latest attempt to kick-start the trail will be held with Mr Aplin's successor as the member for Albury, Justin Clancy, and federal member for Farrer Sussan Ley supportive.
An estimated 100 bike riders are also expected to converge on Balldale for the launch beginning at 12.30pm.
Federation councillor Fred Longmire, who lives at Balldale, is also backing the push.
He was mayor of the former Corowa Shire when it gave in-principle support to a trail from Corowa to Culcairn, but the neighbouring Greater Hume Shire did not share the same level of enthusiasm due to concerns raised by adjoining landowners to the rail corridor.
Cr Longmire said he was still strongly supportive and highlighted the benefits of linking up with the existing Mountains to Murray trail, which ends at Wahgunyah and the soon-to-be-created trail between Mulwala and Corowa.
He doubts the trail will extend to Brocklesby and Burrumbuttock unless Greater Hume has a change of heart.
"I'm all for it," Cr Longmire said.
"But I've got my doubts it will go beyond the boundary of the Federation and Greater Hume shires with the boundary about 1km east of Balldale.
"Until Greater Hume gets on board and supports it I can only see it going from Corowa to Balldale."
Mr Clancy said farmer concerns around biosecurity needed to be fully addressed before any rail trail could be created.
Greater Hume mayor Heather Wilton said she had not been invited to the launch and was not aware of the latest plans.
She confirmed the council had reservations about the lack of detail in the previous plan for the proposed trail between Corowa and Culcairn which would have also taken in Walla.
Brothers Glenn and Leigh Booth revealed plans to resurrect the Balldale pub earlier this year.