River trail push
Plans for a 130-kilometre Wimmera River Discovery Trail have gained renewed momentum on the back of a call for community ideas on how best to capitalise on the Wimmera River.
Analysis of the potential of the $3-million cycling-walking-camping trail, from Dimboola to Lake Albacutya near Rainbow, is well advanced.
Hindmarsh Shire councillor Tony Schneider is confident the trail would play a significant role as part of an overall river-development and cyclingtrail network in the region.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy’s pinpointing of the river as a potential driver for a fresh economic and cultural development project in Horsham, prompted Cr Schneider into action.
In a letter to The Weekly Advertiser, Cr Schneider applauded Ms Kealy’s call for ‘something special and visionary’ in Horsham, adding a relatively nearby discovery trail concept was waiting to happen.
“Making better use of the Wimmera River as an asset to drive economic and social development is an objective which can benefit the wider Wimmera,” he said.
“While the identification of a project in Horsham is something to be encouraged, and ideas have started to be put forward, I remind our decisionmakers and funding bodies that Hindmarsh council is already well advanced in this area.
“In July 2016 our council adopted the Wimmera River Discovery Trail feasibility study and master plan and has continued to seek broader support and funding to make this iconic project a reality.”
Cr Schneider said the discovery trail had the potential to become an integral piece of an adventure-tourism network across the region, if it could attract financial support.
He said it would be a major trail in its own right, but agreed the project would add significant value and a possible north-west extension to a Grampians Peaks Trail, under construction across the Grampians.
“The benefits of the Wimmera River project are considerable and include about 14 full-time positions during construction over one year and more than 37 full-time positions after construction,” he said.
“The trail will bring $1.7-million directly into the Wimmera economy annually and $1.6-million indirectly.”
Cr Schneider said foundations for a discovery trail, based on old or former riverside tracks, were already in place, and, in comparison with other projects, the overall cost in getting it started would be relatively inexpensive.
He said the track would be designed to meet the needs of an average walker or cyclist.
“The project will be complementary to the Yarriambiack Silo Art Trail, build on the growing interest in Pink Lake, draw visitors to the Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum at Jeparit and to a new brewery in Rainbow,” he said.
“The indigenous heritage associated with this section of the river is fascinating and Ebenezer Mission is nearby at Antwerp.
“The Wimmera River Discovery Trail is a ‘shovel ready’ project and deserves the support of both federal and state governments.
“The Hindmarsh council hopes that in the lead-up to elections we will be able to garner both interest and financial commitment from all sides of politics so that this exciting and worthwhile project can soon be a reality.”
Hindmarsh Shire Council tourism and economic development officer Jeff Woodward said the Wimmera River Discovery Trail would fit in neatly with a 10-year Grampians Region Cycling and Trails master plan that was exploring existing and potential adventure trail opportunities.
“The overall cost based on the feasibility assessment is about $3-million, but estimates are that a Dimboola-to-jeparit section might come in under $1-million,” he said.
“We still have some consultations to do but stakeholders and authorities have been involved in the process from the start.
“Essentially the trail would link the Little Desert with Lake Albacutya and Wyperfeld along the Wimmera River corridor on Parks Victoria-managed land with a Native Title overlay. It is split into about four sections and is just stunning country.
“We want to use existing trails from a cost and environment point of view and while we haven’t any plans for campsites for the moment, there is potential for that in the future.
“The good thing about it is that from a cycling point of view it’s off-road but far from an extreme mountain-bike trail. It is relatively flat, ideal for casual riding and there is access every five to 10 kilometres.”