Now that the extension of the O’Keefe Rail Trail is open providing 50km of continuous trail between Bendigo and Heathcote, the various organisations involved are not resting on their laurels with several developments occuring.
Knowing how many people are using the rail trail is essential for future planning. The City of Greater Bendigo Council already has two infra-red counters that count any user that breaks the beam. This could be walkers, runners or cyclists, and possibly the odd kangaroo. The council has gone a step further and recently installed a counter just for cyclists that registers each time a bike passes over an electronic loop imbedded in an asphalt pad on the trail near Junortoun. There are also plans to install an infra-red counter near Heathcote. More details on the Friends of the Bendigo Kilmore Rail Trail news.
Rail Trails Australia is collecting this data and data from other rail trails where available to gather a bigger picture of rail trail usage in Australia.
The Mitchell Shire Council has called for tenders to conduct a feasibility study on extending the rail trail another 65km south through Kilmore to near where it branched off the Melbourne Sydney line at Heathcote Junction. Rather than finish here it would continue on another 6km to the rapidly expanding town of Wallan and the interurban VLine station.
Other possibilities associated with this extension are listed under future developments in the O’Keefe Rail Trail description.
One complication is that some sections of the former corridor were sold off many years ago, as the Heathcote to Heathcote Junction line closed in 1968. If the extension is determined to be viable then the consultant will prepare a concept design for construction.
The previous promotional video by Bendigo Tourism for the rail trail was one of the best around for a rail trail.
They have produced a new one that includes the newly opened section to Heathcote, which is just as good if not better. Check it out from the Videos tab of the Rail Trail description.
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Register for news updatesThe 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...
Riders and walkers will soon have another escape from the very popular Warburton Rail Trail courtesy of a program to cle...
On the 24 February the Atherton district and beyond saw members of the running and outdoor fraternity enjoying an inform...
Sunday, March 3 saw over 100 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoy a bike ride under a clear blue sky and perfect...
After detailed historical and site investigations, Heritage Victoria have placed the former Rushworth Railway Station on...
It’s only been open for a year, but the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has exceeded expectations. Dra...
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