The Gundagai to Dog on the Tuckerbox walking trail situated on the Travelling Stock Route (TSR) beside the Hume Highway was established with an agreement between Gundagai Shire Council and the Department of Primary industries to provide a pedestrian route between North Gundagai and the Dog on the Tuckerbox. It is one of Gundagai and NSW’s most famous locations that brings in plenty of visitors on a yearly basis.
The Gundagai to Dog on the Tuckerbox walking trail maintenance was discussed during a meeting with Local Land Services (LLS) staff earlier this year. The Travelling Stock Reserve the walkway is situated on is now under the authority LLS who have since indicated that they would be happy to release the land from their responsibility.
Following the LLS information Crown Land were contacted to provide a new licence agreement with Council so it could continue the use of the TSR for the walkway.
Crown Lands sent Council a Licence offer in early October which set out Council have licence to use and maintain the TSR lots for the walking trail as it has done for the past ten years.
The licence was reviewed and was found to note the lot parcels involved and the walkway, however did not note the other structures like gateways, fencing and property access points.
The licence was returned to Crown Lands requesting structures to be listed and enquiring on the possibility of have the land acquired by council or having a change of purpose to recreational land from the current TSR.
Crown Lands have notified Council that the licence offer is being updated to include the structures and will be returned to Council for consideration in the near future.
Crown Lands have also advised council that any application for change of purpose or acquisition of the land would require the current land manager (in this case the LLS) to approve the submission to so.
The licence offer term is for three years with a fixed licence fee of $660.00 per year.
By transferring the management by acquisition or change of purpose of the Crown Land as noted, Council would remain responsible for the maintenance of the Walking Trail which typically involves regular mowing and spraying.
It was recommended Council authorise the Interim General Manager to sign a 3 year Crown Land licence for the use of the Gundagai to the Dog on the Tuckerbox Walking Trail when received. It was also recommended that Council request formal approval for the Change of Purpose or Acquisition of the lots in the TSR which the Dog on the Tuckerbox walking trail is located from Local Land Services.
-Jack Murray
