Jarrahdale Rd locals were ‘devastated’ to learn that a proposal to run a railbike tourism venture along the old Alcoa railway behind their properties had been given ‘in-principle support’ by the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale without any consultation with them.
For the past nine months, the Jarrahdale Community Collective (JCC) has been working studiously to repurpose a section of the abandoned rail line between Buckland Road and the western end of Jubb Rd into a community-run and guided pedal-powered bike tour.
The business would be operated by the JCC in collaboration with the Jarrahdale Heritage Society and the Serpentine Jarrahdale Men’s Shed as a “not-for-profit entity” with a portion of takings donated back into local community groups, “reducing the financial burden on ratepayers”.
The project posed no financial outlay for the shire, but in order to secure state government funding to turn the vision into a reality, the JCC needed the shire’s in-principle support.
With an important meeting for state government funding looming over the project’s steering committee, it was pivotal that the council decide to grant that support, which it did in November.
Prior to this, in-principle support had also been sought from and given by the Public Transport Authority; Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage; Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; and Arc Infrastructure, who manage the rail track.
A feasibility study had also been commissioned and was almost finalised.
But the very first time those residents whose properties back onto the rail line heard about the idea was the night before the November council meeting.
“It came as a shock to us that it had gone so far and we were just finding out about the amount of planning that had already taken place,” Vicki said. “We didn’t even have enough notice to make a representation to council.”
“It feels like it’s being very secretly planned, and whether we like it or not, it’s getting done,” Chantelle said.
JCC President Raoul Temme explained that “without in-principle support from stakeholders, the project would not be possible. Thus, once this was achieved, a meeting with residents immediately adjacent to the south of the line was arranged for 27 November”.
In February, local member Hugh Jones announced that a re-elected Labor government would front $250,000 for the Jarrahdale Railbike initiative.
“It will boost tourism, support local businesses and give residents and visitors to Darling Range more opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, right here in our own stunning backyard,” he said.
But for the out-of-the-loop Jarrahdale Rd locals, the ‘stunning backyard’ that tourists would be enjoying would be theirs…literally.
From Chantelle and Jack’s kitchen window you can clearly see the old rail line. It’s not even a stone’s throw from the lawn where her young kids play.
“This is our forever home. We want to live here our whole lives and watch our kids grow up here,” Chantelle said.
“We’re very private people – so the thought of strangers pedalling past our yard is a lot for us.
“They might say it’s only on Saturdays and Sundays – but that’s our weekends they’re stealing. Those are our days of relaxation.”
Alan from the Veterans’ Transition Centre (VTC) has also voiced his opposition to the proposal because it has “the potential to negatively affect the vulnerable veterans we have staying here as they generally need time and peace to turn their lives around”.
The track is 14 metres from Jessica’s fence line. And the train line runs over the top of Clint and Jenna’s driveway.
“The whole way up to Jarrahdale Tanks, all you can see is into the backs of people’s properties,” Jessica said.
“You can even see into people’s pools, including the VTC pool,” Chantelle said. “And there’s no way to screen most of it because it’s on a steep slope.”
“Yes, we get walkers along the track. But there’s a difference between people walking with their heads down trying not to step on snakes and honky nuts, and people sitting on a bike pedalling along with their phones out recording videos to put on TikTok,” Jessica said.
Since the track became “like a highway” during COVID with 4WD enthusiasts you-tubing their adventures along the disused railway, thefts have become an increasingly common problem. And many are worried that an increased tourist presence in the area would only exacerbate the risk of theft.
“People start to catch onto your routines because they can see into your lives,” Chantelle said.
“I had a motorbike stolen from my shed during COVID,” Jack said. “And others have had utes and tools stolen.”
Mr Temme said that they have been trying to address the residents’ concerns for privacy and security.
“Appropriate screening is not only a benefit for residents but also for those who will join the tour,” he said.
“Following the initial meeting of 27 November, the Jarrahdale Railbikes continue to request meetings with the concerned residents with the hope suitable options can be agreed upon.”
But only one of the residents the Examiner spoke to has ever had a screening solution offered to them, which they rejected for logistical reasons. All others state they have not been contacted by the sub-committee at all since that first November meeting.
“Not sure how they’re intending on screening out 1km of clear view,” Hellene said. “It will totally blow their budget.”
The Jarrahdale Rd residents also have plenty of safety concerns too.
The sub-committee has confirmed that they intend on storing the railbikes in a shipping container mounted to the rail line which will be “passable by foot”.
“Where they’re proposing to mount the container near Buckland Rd is so steep – it’s never going to work,” Jack said.
And the route the railbikes will traverse crosses over both Buckland and Jubb Rd.
“They’re proposing to cross two roads with no boom gates in place,” Chantelle said. “People fly around those corners all the time. And at certain times of the year, there are loads of fruit trucks going down Jubb Rd. How will they be able to cross it safely?”
When we put the question to JCC President Raoul Temme, he explained that “the railbikes project is subject to the same safety requirements as any rail line user, and requires accreditation through the Office of National Rail Safety Regulators. Road crossings will be in accordance to ONRSR approval”.
Jack was concerned that the sub-committee hadn’t properly addressed the multiple traffic types all competing for trail space: walkers, horse riders, motorbikes, e-bikes, 4WD and now railbikes, which can’t easily move off the track.
“Safety will be considered paramount for all users of the area,” Mr Temme said.
“This will be reflected in the Risk Assessment Management, Safety Standards and Safety Policy which are currently in draft form and will form the basis for accreditation with ONRSR.
“The Jarrahdale Railbikes will work within their ONRSR accreditation guidelines and with the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale Trails Coordinator to ensure safety of all users of the shire’s growing trails network.”
Vicki was also concerned that there wasn’t enough clearance in some places for an ambulance to get through if there was an emergency.
“If someone has a heart attack – how will an ambulance reach them?” she said. “There’s so much corrosion and drop offs the whole way along.”
“If you walk up there and have a look it’s such a huge liability – I don’t understand how they’ll even secure insurance,” Jessica added.
The Examiner has also spoken with a couple of members of the Jarrahdale Community Collective who have expressed serious concerns about the project, with one person describing it as a “white elephant”.
“The town is not as on board with this as the sub-committee feel,” they said.
We asked whether the railbikes sub-committee or other involved community groups had surveyed the Jarrahdale community to find out whether they would like a rail bike tour, and were told that they hadn’t.
Having said that, the dozen residents the Examiner has heard from are unanimously supportive of the idea of using the track for railbikes – but in the opposite direction, from Buckland Rd to Langford Park.
This was, in fact, the original route envisioned for the Jarrahdale Railbikes. But a site investigation found a number of troublesome factors including “required vegetation clearing, the rail line condition, parking suitability, available line length, visibility and security”.
So, Option 2 (Jubb Rd to Buckland Rd) was put forward to stakeholders.
“We support the idea of building tourism opportunities in Jarrahdale,” Chantelle said.
“But we are opposed to it coming into our backyards when it could go in the opposite direction.”
“I just think the JCC is underestimating multiple aspects – they’ve gone for the easy option without thinking it through,” Jack said.
“We are aware that some of the track has been removed but further east towards the old Alcoa site there is more than enough tracks and ballast which could be used to replace the track between Buckland Road and Langford Park,” Vicki said.
“If funding is granted to replace or fix the missing railway it will be the better option – due to the stunning, natural, unspoilt forest where people will have both sides of the forest to view and to immerse themselves in the silence, aroma of the bush and experience the flora and fauna Jarrahdale is renowned for. Not to mention the abundance of wildflowers in spring – a common tourist attraction.”
One of the Jarrahdale Rd residents casually broached the railbikes idea with an Alcoa community representative, who, they say, expressed initial interest in helping to fund the project.
Members of the JCC also told us that if the Langford Park route had been chosen it would have better reflected the original intent of a guided tour that showcases Jarrahdale’s history and natural beauty, and links up with the shops and services in town.
But just when residents were convinced that this was all a done deal, last Thursday the sub-committee met to discuss the route options again.
“The sub-committee reviewed all the factors that had originally been discussed regarding the two route options last year,” Raoul Temme said.
“That assessment last year highlighted various features/concerns with both routes and assessed the severity of the concern and how feasible the mitigation of the concern would be.
“We are grateful to the residents near the line who have reached out and provided their feedback and we will be responding to them shortly advising that the Langford Park option is being revisited, and all effort will be made to exhaust all sensible options.”
Jarrahdale Rd locals have said they are ‘glad’ the JCC is at least considering their concerns and “will see what comes of it”.
“Hopefully they aren’t just telling us what we want to hear,” Jessica said.
Shire President Rob Coales also clarified that although the shire has given in-principle support, and Deputy President Tricia Duggin was the person who brought this project to the JCC last year, the Jarrahdale Railbikes is not a “shire-endorsed project”.
Despite a quarter of a million dollars already promised by the state government, he also said that in order for the project to get a green light, it would need to be formally submitted to the shire as a development application.
“And with any development proposal, the key thing we need to do as a council is listen to the community,” he said.
