The Rail - Everything you need to know about the Mount Gambier Railway Lands

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The Rail initiative of Council has concluded

The Mount Gambier Railway Lands is a unique and exciting new public space located in the heart of the City of Mount Gambier.

'The Rail' is an initiative of the City of Mount Gambier which aims support the community to test and trial a range events and activities at the Railway Lands.

In the lead up to the opening of the site, The Rail project team has completed over 80 site meetings and tours to introduce a range of community members to the space, each of which have shared their ideas and provided feedback.

As a result of these meetings, the Official Opening held on Sunday 15 November showcased a diverse range of activities, all of which were led and contributed to by our local community. The event created a fantastic opportunity to start experiencing first-hand how The Rail can lend itself to a variety of different events and activities moving forward.

The Rail project team was onsite at the opening to explore ideas about how the Railway Lands can continue to develop as a unique and exciting public space for the City of Mount Gambier. This feedback has been collated and will inform how we best encourage and manage activity at the site.

Didn't make it to the opening? Use this site to find the latest news, ask questions or provide your feedback regarding the Mount Gambier Railway Lands or 'The Rail' activation program.

Got a great idea? Share your thoughts, pictures and concepts at any time by using: #therail5290


The Mount Gambier Railway Lands is a unique and exciting new public space located in the heart of the City of Mount Gambier.

'The Rail' is an initiative of the City of Mount Gambier which aims support the community to test and trial a range events and activities at the Railway Lands.

In the lead up to the opening of the site, The Rail project team has completed over 80 site meetings and tours to introduce a range of community members to the space, each of which have shared their ideas and provided feedback.

As a result of these meetings, the Official Opening held on Sunday 15 November showcased a diverse range of activities, all of which were led and contributed to by our local community. The event created a fantastic opportunity to start experiencing first-hand how The Rail can lend itself to a variety of different events and activities moving forward.

The Rail project team was onsite at the opening to explore ideas about how the Railway Lands can continue to develop as a unique and exciting public space for the City of Mount Gambier. This feedback has been collated and will inform how we best encourage and manage activity at the site.

Didn't make it to the opening? Use this site to find the latest news, ask questions or provide your feedback regarding the Mount Gambier Railway Lands or 'The Rail' activation program.

Got a great idea? Share your thoughts, pictures and concepts at any time by using: #therail5290


The Rail initiative of Council has concluded

Got a question for The Rail project team which hasn't been answered in the FAQ page? Post your question here and we'll get back to you.

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    Hi can you tell me the distance of the rail lands path from the station to the furthest point of development ending at Millicent road Thanks

    Bryan Reppin asked almost 6 years ago

    Hi there. Thanks for your question. The distance of the section of the track that you're referring to is approximately 3.3km. Hope this helps. 

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    How dose the environment work in The Ponds

    Sumo asked almost 6 years ago

    Hi there. Thanks for your question. 

    The Railway Lands Urban Wetlands were designed and constructed according to water sensitive urban design principles. The series of lakes and ponds have been constructed out of clay and soil and have been reinforced to ensure that water does not leak out of the system.

    Runoff water makes its way from the large storage lake into a series of retention ponds which are densely-planted with native vegetation that assist in nutrient removal and containment of other impurities that are found in storm water. The water then makes its way through the nature play area of the site and joins the underground drainage system that eventually makes its way to the Cave Gardens.   

    Next time you're at the Railway Lands, look for the interpretive signage which is located adjacent to the primary water storage lake. This sign provides more detail about the wetlands design and its role in processing runoff water. 

    If you have any further questions about the wetlands area, please email city@mountgambier.sa.gov.au 

    Have Your Say Mount Gambier 

    Railway Lands, WSUD wetlands
    Railway Lands WSUD wetlands
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    Are there going to pedestrian refuges installed on all roads so that our children can cross more easily?

    Ian S asked almost 8 years ago

    Thank you for your question.

    The design for this project has been developed in accordance with the Australian Standards in shared cycling and walking pathways. While this incorporates safety considerations, such as the installation of signage at each crossing, there are currently no plans for pedestrian refuges within this initial stage.

    In line with all public space developments, Council will continue to assess the requirement for additional elements, such as safety installations, in future stages of the project.

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    Is there going to be a trash and treasure market or car boot sale anytime soon. I thought I heard there may be one in April.

    Dale Mortensen asked about 8 years ago

    Thanks for your question. The Mount Gambier Royal Flying Doctor Service Support Group are staging a Family Fun Day at The Rail on 3 April 2016. We understand that this event will include a car boot sale open to local sellers - more information

    Additionally, The Rail Activation Team are happy to hear from anyone interested delivering trash and treasure or car boot sales at the space in the future. Email therail@mountgambier.sa.gov.au for more information.

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    Can you please explain the design requirements for the pool/pond fencing. Appears to be quite a deep water body with easy access by toddlers. Pool fencing requirements don't apply?

    ozpm asked about 8 years ago

    Thank you for your question.

    The wetlands (ponds) in the railway lands are not classified as swimming pools and therefore do not require to be fenced the same as a pool.

    Council’s policy in regards to fencing of retention basins takes a risk management approach to fencing certain retention basins / stormwater ponds where there is a significant risk of someone falling into the pond and not being able to easily climb out.

    Council (through formal resolution) determined that the first pond (concrete lined pond) was more significant from a risk perspective than the second (rock lined pond) due to the steep sides and has consequently provided a barrier (post and wire fence) around the first pond only.

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    Has the removal of the railway station and yards prevented any future railway access to mount gambier for both passenger trains and cargo trains? As mount gambier grows improvements to public transport will be needed both in the form of local buses and intercity rail services to Adelaide and Melbourne. Having a railway station with regular train services will increase tourism and local access to employment and services in and around mount gambier. Although this parkland is nice but it does prevent sustainable public transport and cargo transport in the future. A combination of parkland and railway station that allowed for 2 tracks and platforms for trains would have been better. The cargo terminal could have been outside the town.

    Thaitransit asked over 8 years ago

    Thank you for your question. As part of the agreement for the use of the land, Council was required to incorporate an easement through the centre of the site which had the capacity to consider future rail passage, should it ever be revisited as an option for Mount Gambier.

    This has been considered in the design and is identified by the dotted red line in the map below: