The Gawler and Barossa communities will know by Christmas this year whether it will be financially feasible to run a tourism train service along the currently disused rail corridor.

A study to ascertain the feasibility of having a tourism train service for the Barossa has commenced and, is expected to deliver its findings and recommendations to the State Government by the end of this calendar year.

The study, managed by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), delivers on a promise made by then Labor Party Opposition prior to the 2022 State Election.

Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo said the study has come about as a result of work undertaken by a local taskforce chaired by him to explore whether it would be financially feasible to get a tourism train service back on track.

Mr Piccolo said the study will address the infrastructure requirements to get the track up to operating standard, explore different business models, and ascertain what markets should the service target.

“This will be the first thorough investigation to see whether a tourism train service is financially viable and would likely attract a private operator,” said Mr Piccolo.

“There is a mountain of regulatory requirements to be met, as both rail and road user safety is paramount.”

“Not only will the track need to be upgraded, but rail crossing improvements will also need to be investigated.”

DIT have engaged a number of independent consultants who specialise in rail services and logistics to assist them with their investigations.

The South Australia Tourism Commission are providing advice on what tourism markets are likely to exist for such a service, and the price point and service quality needed to attract the right tourists.

Mr Piccolo said at this stage all options for a tourism train service are on the table for consideration and the investigations will determine which models are most likely to be financially sustainable.

“The changes at Koemers Crossing do not preclude the service running to Nuriootpa, should it be financially viable to do so,” said Mr Piccolo.

The taskforce comprising, representatives from the Barossa and Gawler Councils, Barossa Australia, the Barossa, Light, Gawler and Adelaide Plains RDA, The Southern Barossa Alliance, and the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, Chateau Tanunda, and former Member for Schubert, Mr Ivan Venning and Train Industry Advocate Robert Sampson, met recently to consider progress of the investigations.

“There is a lot of goodwill on the taskforce, and it will be great to see if we can make this work,” added Mr Piccolo.

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