The Moyne and Warrnambool Shire councils have been successful in obtaining funding of $850,000 from the Victorian State Government to begin construction of the 33km Port Fairy to Warrnambool rail trail.
Click here for more information on the proposed rail trail including map.
A Victorian state government press release provides more details about the funding.
FROM THE MINISTER FOR STATE & REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
DATE: Friday, October 13, 2006
PORT FAIRY TO WARRNAMBOOL RAIL TRAIL ON TRACK
A new $2.2 million rail trail linking Port Fairy and Warrnambool will offer another major tourist attraction in the State’s south west region and boost tourist numbers, Minister for State and Regional Development, John Brumby, said today.
During a visit to Port Fairy today, Mr Brumby said the new trail would be built with the help of an $850,000 Bracks Government Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)grant.
“The Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail is the first project to be announced as part of the Bracks Government’s $8 million Provincial Pathways Program,” Mr Brumby said.
“This project will build on the strengths of the Great Ocean Road, which is internationally recognized and renowned as a significant tourism destination.
“It will provide another attraction and dimension to the whole tourist experience, becoming a major drawcard along the Shipwreck Coast.”
Mr Brumby said the project involved the construction of a 37-kilometre trail from central Port Fairy to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre.
The scenic trail – to be built along a disused rail corridor between Port Fairy, Koroit and Illowa – will be used for walking and cycling and will and continue along the road reserve into Warrnambool.
Works will include the construction of the trail and trailheads along with a new boardwalk, repair and reconstruction of bridges and the installation of a highway underpass, along with fencing, screening, drainage and revegetation.
Mr Brumby said the trail would increase the range of activities for visitors to the area.
“The trail is expected to attract an estimated 60,000 users each year, who will inject almost $1.4 million into the local economy,” he said.
“For backpackers particularly, this project has the potential to change visiting patterns from predominantly day trips to overnight and longer stays.”
Mr Brumby said Moyne Shire and Warrnambool City councils would each contribute significant funds for the project with construction due to start in the middle of next year and be completed with in two years.
The Provincial Pathways Program is part of Moving Forward, the Government’s $502 million action plan to make Provincial Victoria the best place to live, work, invest.
The Château Tanunda Barossa Marathon is to be held on Sunday 26 May 24, starting and finishing in Tanunda. The event at...
We are calling on all rail trail supporters to express their support for the development of a new rail trail in NSW to a...
Some exciting news from Western Australia! Earlier this week, the WA government committed $17.5 million to completing th...
Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) recently received very welcome news and financial support to allow them th...
The e-bike is a great way to get more people and families using the rail trails in Australia! Bicycle Network believes e...
This week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesThe Château Tanunda Barossa Marathon is to be held on Sunday 26 May 24, starting and finishing in Tanunda. The event at...
We are calling on all rail trail supporters to express their support for the development of a new rail trail in NSW to a...
Some exciting news from Western Australia! Earlier this week, the WA government committed $17.5 million to completing th...
Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) recently received very welcome news and financial support to allow them th...
The e-bike is a great way to get more people and families using the rail trails in Australia! Bicycle Network believes e...
This week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...