Conference Report – First Australian Tracks and Trails Conference
The First Australian Tracks and Trails Conference was held between 11 and 13 May at Pinnacle Valley Resort near Mansfield, Victoria. Over 130 people attended the conference from around Australia and overseas representing local and state government, universities, trail management groups and community organisations. Two people attended on behalf of Railtrails Australia: Vince Aitkin and Alexander McCooke. Fiona Colquhoun who was attending on behalf of Parks Victoria is also on the Railtrails committee.
Railtrails were well represented at the conference. Once of the nine blocks of sessions was devoted to railtrails and they received mentions in a number of other sessions. One of the railtrails sessions was presented by Vince Aitkin, our treasurer, on “Railtrails Linking Communities”.
On the last day of the conference, field trips were conducted. One of these visited the former railway to Mansfield, to look at the former Bonnie Doon railway bridge which is now part of a short railtrail and the potential for a much longer trail along this railway line. The trip was lead by Graeme Stoney MP, David Heale from NRE and Ian Geer from the Shire of Delatite who manage the current trail.
Another conference is planned for two years time to be held in Western Australia, hosted by TrailsWest.
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More News
After years of planning and construction, the newest rail trail in Victoria, Waranga Rail Trail, opens for users on Tues...
We’ve added a bucket hat with the RTA logo and a drawstring for adjustments to our line of Rail Trails Australia b...
The State Government has provided funding to the City of Adelaide Council and the Unley Council to undertake significan...
Western Australia’s Department of Transport has released the Avon Central Coast 2050 Cycling Strategy, setting the st...
Construction of the next section of the Yarra Valley Trail (YVT), from Melba Bend to the Yarra River near Yarra Glen, i...
In good news, the recently-completed 30 km southern section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) from Lismore to Cas...
Mansfield Shire Council has shown its commitment to maintaining the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) by spending $54,80...
Victorian rail trails may benefit from a grant pool of $3.55 million that is available for selected projects that enhanc...
The final detour has been removed from the High Country Rail Trail with the completion of a steel-truss bridge across T...
‘Rutherglen Loops’, a project that combines sealed paths, concrete shared paths, and carefully planned on-r...
Cradle Coast Authority launched a photo competition for images that highlight the scenery, amenity or activity along nor...
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Volunteer to count bikes for 2 hours on 4 March and Bicycle Network will donate $70 to Rail Trails Australia. Each year,...
Excitement is mounting as bridge works on the Yarra Valley Rail Trail near Yering in Victoria start to take shape. One o...
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