From the State Government Newsroom:
Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the upgraded trail would receive $500,000 in Government support and comprise of 45 kilometres of off-road walking and cycling track from Colac, to Beech Forest and to Gellibrand for local residents and tourists. “The trail aims to become an iconic attraction that will boost tourism and create more jobs for the south-west,” Ms Allan said. “This will be achieved by linking the trail to nearby tourist attractions and increasing the range of activities for visitors to the region, especially the Great Ocean Road’s hinterland region.” Ms Allan said the project involved: • Creating an 11 kilometre off-road section along the trail; Ms Allan said the Brumby Government was supporting the project because an enhanced trail with improved facilities will attract more users and visitors to the region. “Improving the trail will encourage the growth of existing businesses and development of new associated businesses,” Ms Allan said. “The project will also reduce all risks associated with the trail’s on-road sections and improve connectivity for local residents to key community facilities and amenities. “The project will create 10 jobs during the construction phase and has the potential to create a more jobs through the growth of the tourism sector.” Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney, said funding for the Old Beechy Rail Trail upgrade would be provided to Colac Otway Shire Council through the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and its Provincial Pathways Program. “The $7.6 million, four-year Provincial Pathways Program is developing rail trails and pathways to generate economic, social and recreational benefits,” she said. “Rail trails and pathways are environment-friendly and a great way to experience nature and the program is helping highlight the natural beauty of regional Victoria while capitalising on the other benefits that go with a popular recreational attraction.” “To date, the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) has provided $553 million to fund 351 projects worth more than $1.4 billion across provincial Victoria.” |
From the above media release it is unclear who is contributing the other $250,000, however Railtrails Australia believes the Colac-Otway Shire will be contributing this amount.
See our Old Beechy Trail Description for more information on this rail trail.
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Register for news updatesExcitement is mounting as bridge works on the Yarra Valley Rail Trail near Yering in Victoria start to take shape. One o...
The Coast to Vines Rail Trail has a 4 km rural section between the suburb of Seaford Rise and the township of McLaren Va...
The NSW government has responded to a recent question on the possible return to rail services on Great Northern Rail Lin...
Last week the Fraser Coast Regional Council announced that it will request the Queensland Government to contribute $9 mi...
Our judge (a former newspaper travel editor) has selected the best rail trail review from a range of reviews submitted o...
Rail Trails Australia has announced the winners of $10,000 worth of grants designed to assist community organisations to...
Rail Trails Australia’s regional representatives are often testing out ‘their’ rail trails in the regi...
Our vice-president Steven Kaye was interviewed by Nic Healey on ABC radio (Victoria) this week. He discussed how local c...
Get ready to ride the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) on Saturday, March 29. Cycle Dindi is a fully supported, family ...
Comments on the extension of the Mornington Railside Trail south of Melbourne close Friday 31 January. The draft master...
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Building a shared bridge over busy Toorak Rd on the Outer Circle Rail Trail in Melbourne was not one of the state gove...
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