The Hon Peter Ryan MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for State Development
Minister for Regional and Rural Development
Friday 25 October 2013
Gippsland’s reputation as an attractive tourist destination will be enhanced with the Victorian Coalition Government to provide $600,000 towards the completion of the final section of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, funded through the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan today joined Member for Morwell Russell Northe in Glengarry to announce the funding allocation for the 7.1 km Traralgon to Glengarry section of the rail trail.
“The 7.1 km section of trail between Traralgon and Glengarry is the final leg of the 65 km Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, which stretches from Traralgon to Stratford and passes through communities such as Toongabbie, Cowwarr, Tinamba, Heyfield and Maffra,” Mr Ryan said.
“The Coalition Government’s funding will be used to construct a 2.5 metre wide shared gravel pathway linking Traralgon with Glengarry.
“The funding will also be used to upgrade culverts, repair an embankment, reinstate four bridges and eradicate and prevent the recurrence of termites in the timber bridges.
“The project is also expected to create 27 new jobs, including 15 jobs during the project’s construction phase and a further 12 ongoing indirect jobs.”
Mr Northe welcomed the $600,000 Coalition Government contribution and said once completed the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail would deliver significant economic and social benefits to the region and greatly enhance Gippsland as an attractive tourist destination.
“The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail traverses undulating dairy country, boasts views of the Great Dividing Range and provides numerous opportunities for cyclists, runners and walkers to stop for a rest and a snack and explore the magnificence of the region,” Mr Northe said.
“The project complements a suite of nature-based activities in Gippsland, adding value to attractions such as Wilsons Promontory, the Gippsland Lakes District and the existing trails, including the Great Southern Rail Trail, Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail and the Grand Strzelecki Track.
“It is estimated that visitors to the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail will contribute more than $3 million to the local economy each year.
“The trail will also provide an alternate transport network between the towns along the route, building community health and wellbeing.”
Mr Ryan said today’s announcement continued the Coalition Government’s strong support for the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.
“In October 2012, the Coalition Government provided $200,000 to complete a 14 km section of the trail from Glengarry to Cowwarr, and in May this year we announced a further $100,000 to complete the section of trail between Tinamba, Heyfield and Cowwarr,” Mr Ryan said.
“Providing funding support to complete the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail was an important 2010 election commitment and one the Coalition Government is proud to have delivered.
“This project is another example of the Coalition Government, through the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund, delivering important community-led local initiatives.”
Media contact: Ben Bulmer 0437 547 731
Visit www.premier.vic.gov.au for more news
ben.bulmer@minstaff.vic.gov.au
See the Trail Descriotion for more information at Rail Trails Australia.
The community have the opportunity to provide direct feedback to assist the Mt Alexander Shire Council in partnership wi...
The City of Greater Bendigo will shortly commence a project to construct and install public toilets, bike hoops, new par...
A large crowd turned out today (Friday 26 May) on a beautiful morning at Trawool Estate for the official launch of the A...
On Wednesday 10 May 2023 a public-information session was held for community members to view and discuss the plans for r...
The duplication of Main South Road from Seaford to Sellicks Beach has commenced and will include a 16km off-road shared ...
The Bunny Rail Trail is a new trail under development between Ballarat and Buninyong in Western Victoria. Walkers, runne...
The good news just keeps rolling in for the Tweed Section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail with the Tweed Council NRRT ...
On 17 May 2023, Cessnock City Council unanimously approved the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and associated repo...
The third South Burnett Express Rail Trail Relay, run from Kingaroy to Wondai (on the Kilkivan – Kingaroy Rail Tra...
The catchily-named Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail will have its 800m extension from Edenmont Rd to Belgrave-Gembrook Rd ...
The Coast to Vines Rail Trail in South Australia now has a new side trail called the Flat to Vale Trail and while it is ...
The Australian and South Australian governments have jointly (50:50) funded $400m for the removal of level crossings whe...
The Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) Art Installation Project is on track to be completed by the end of April as planne...
The Yarra Valley Trail (YVT) stage 1a opened a few years ago and is now heavily used and embraced by the community. Not ...
The official opening of the Nyora to Leongatha section of the Great Southern Rail Trail was held on Saturday, 1 April. T...
On 24 March, Rail Trails Australia hosted the 2023 Rail Trails Forum in Murwillumbah NSW, timed to coincide with the Com...
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesThe community have the opportunity to provide direct feedback to assist the Mt Alexander Shire Council in partnership wi...
The City of Greater Bendigo will shortly commence a project to construct and install public toilets, bike hoops, new par...
A large crowd turned out today (Friday 26 May) on a beautiful morning at Trawool Estate for the official launch of the A...
On Wednesday 10 May 2023 a public-information session was held for community members to view and discuss the plans for r...
The duplication of Main South Road from Seaford to Sellicks Beach has commenced and will include a 16km off-road shared ...
The Bunny Rail Trail is a new trail under development between Ballarat and Buninyong in Western Victoria. Walkers, runne...
The good news just keeps rolling in for the Tweed Section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail with the Tweed Council NRRT ...
On 17 May 2023, Cessnock City Council unanimously approved the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and associated repo...
The third South Burnett Express Rail Trail Relay, run from Kingaroy to Wondai (on the Kilkivan – Kingaroy Rail Tra...
The catchily-named Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail will have its 800m extension from Edenmont Rd to Belgrave-Gembrook Rd ...
The Coast to Vines Rail Trail in South Australia now has a new side trail called the Flat to Vale Trail and while it is ...
The Australian and South Australian governments have jointly (50:50) funded $400m for the removal of level crossings whe...
The Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) Art Installation Project is on track to be completed by the end of April as planne...
The Yarra Valley Trail (YVT) stage 1a opened a few years ago and is now heavily used and embraced by the community. Not ...
The official opening of the Nyora to Leongatha section of the Great Southern Rail Trail was held on Saturday, 1 April. T...
On 24 March, Rail Trails Australia hosted the 2023 Rail Trails Forum in Murwillumbah NSW, timed to coincide with the Com...