Media Release: Wednesday 17 October 2012
Member for Morwell Russell Northe today announced Coalition Government funding of $200,000 for the upgrade and enhancement of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail (GPRT) – stage 1.
Mr Northe said the funding formed part of an overall $800,000 2010 election commitment to the GPRT.
The $200,000 funding will complete approximately 14 kilometres of a shared-use section of the trail from Glengarry to Cowwarr.
“The 67-kilometre GPRT stretches from Traralgon to Stratford,” Mr Northe said. “The trail passes through dairy country, and offers sweeping views of the Great Dividing Range to the north.”
“The section from Glengarry to Cowwarr via Toongabbie has two creek crossings that can be walked through, and the trail reserve has significant remnant stands of native trees, shrubs and grasses.
“This funding will upgrade the existing trail with gravel, installing safe road crossings and constructing a crossing over Eagle Hawk Creek”, Mr Northe said.
Mr Northe said the Glengarry to Cowwarr section of the GPRT would improve connectivity for local communities and become a significant tourism attraction for the region.
The 14km upgrade was pivotal to the opening of the long awaited Glengarry to Traralgon section of the GPRT.
Chairperson of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail committee Helen Hoppner said the upgrade was a great victory for the community who looked forward to the flow on effect of tourism, economic and environmental benefits.
During the works there will be disruptions to the users of the trail and the committee seeks the community’s patience and understanding as the end result will be a great outcome for the community.
“The trail will give local residents and visitors the chance to experience the varied landscapes of the Latrobe Valley and Wellington Shire and take in the many tourism and recreational assets along the way,” Mr Northe said.
“Completing this section of the trail will deliver economic benefits to the region through additional tourism opportunities and allow access the Glengarry, Toongabbie and Cowwarr by alternative and recreational transport.”
Work on the Glengarry to Cowwarr section of the GPRT is expected to be completed in April 2013.
Media contact: Russell Northe 5133 9088.
For more information about the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail see the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail Description.
On 24 March, Rail Trails Australia hosted the 2023 Rail Trails Forum in Murwillumbah NSW, timed to coincide with the Com...
The Tweed region in northern NSW celebrated the opening of the first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail in a big ...
Come and walk or ride the Great Southern Rail Trail at the official opening event for the extension between Nyora to Leo...
The O’Keefe Challenge is gearing up for its annual Light the Rail Trail on Saturday 29 April 2023. The annual event ...
The Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) have taken a visionary and courageous step to create a short film to b...
Over 130 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoyed a bike ride in perfect conditions along the Great Victorian Rail...
Planning for the new Somerville to Baxter shared path as part of the Peninsula Trail project is progressing well. The B...
Rail Trails Australia Central Queensland rep Desley O’Grady made a flying visit to Hervey Bay recently to inspect ...
Are you a keen caravanner? Are you also a cyclist? The March edition of the Caravan World magazine has a theme of family...
The Copper Coast Rail Trail between Kadina and Wallaroo was constructed in 2017. The 17km extension of the trail from Wa...
It’s time to bring the community together for the official celebration weekend of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. On S...
The Wadandi Track (formerly known as the Busselton-Flinders Bay Rail Trail) is a partially complete rail trail in WA’s...
There was a palpable sense of history being made in Murwillumbah NSW this morning, as the Tweed section of the Northern ...
The City of Greater Bendigo are currently in the process of ensuring some of the older sections of Victoria’s O’...
The Launceston Council recently approved another section of the Scottsdale to Lilydale rail trail, part of the North Eas...
The “Puffing Billy trail” is getting closer to the iconic Victorian steam train’s Belgrave headquarters, even if o...
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesOn 24 March, Rail Trails Australia hosted the 2023 Rail Trails Forum in Murwillumbah NSW, timed to coincide with the Com...
The Tweed region in northern NSW celebrated the opening of the first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail in a big ...
Come and walk or ride the Great Southern Rail Trail at the official opening event for the extension between Nyora to Leo...
The O’Keefe Challenge is gearing up for its annual Light the Rail Trail on Saturday 29 April 2023. The annual event ...
The Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) have taken a visionary and courageous step to create a short film to b...
Over 130 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoyed a bike ride in perfect conditions along the Great Victorian Rail...
Planning for the new Somerville to Baxter shared path as part of the Peninsula Trail project is progressing well. The B...
Rail Trails Australia Central Queensland rep Desley O’Grady made a flying visit to Hervey Bay recently to inspect ...
Are you a keen caravanner? Are you also a cyclist? The March edition of the Caravan World magazine has a theme of family...
The Copper Coast Rail Trail between Kadina and Wallaroo was constructed in 2017. The 17km extension of the trail from Wa...
It’s time to bring the community together for the official celebration weekend of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. On S...
The Wadandi Track (formerly known as the Busselton-Flinders Bay Rail Trail) is a partially complete rail trail in WA’s...
There was a palpable sense of history being made in Murwillumbah NSW this morning, as the Tweed section of the Northern ...
The City of Greater Bendigo are currently in the process of ensuring some of the older sections of Victoria’s O’...
The Launceston Council recently approved another section of the Scottsdale to Lilydale rail trail, part of the North Eas...
The “Puffing Billy trail” is getting closer to the iconic Victorian steam train’s Belgrave headquarters, even if o...