$4 million for trail
Tourists and locals are set to benefit from a $4 million upgrade to the Rokeby to Noojee Trail.
The project, which has been listed as a major priority by Baw Baw Shire, has received $3 million funding from the State Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund. Council also will allocate $1 million in its Baw Shire Council as part of its 2022-23 capital works program.
The project will include upgrades to existing parts of the track and an extension to create a link to popular spots like the Noojee Trestle Bridge.
Stage one of the Rokeby to Noojee Trail will develop a high-quality 14-kilometre walking experience, which will include upgrading the existing Rokeby Crossover trail and extending it to the Apex Lookout.
Expected to be completed by 2024, the works include upgrades to the existing section of the trail between Rokeby and Crossover, upgrades to the existing roadside trails and connecting missing links from Crossover to the Apex lookout in Neerim.
Baw Baw Shire mayor Micheal Leaney said it was great to see one of council’s top four advocacy priority projects receive funding to develop the much-loved local trail to its full potential.
“With greatly improved facilities such as our beloved Rokeby trail, we will draw more people to our towns and improve the user experience for both visitors and locals.”
After stage one is completed construction works will be undertaken to extend the trail to the north and create links to key historic tourism destinations, including the Noojee township and its iconic trestle bridge.
Rokeby and Crossover Friends Group member Kate Hill said the upgrade would be good for all users.
She said the Rokeby and Crossover Groups hoped the upgrade would allow for easier track maintenance and help them work with the council to improve infrastructure at the trailhead.
“Usage has increased exponentially since COVID,” she said.
Ms Hill said usage had not slowed down, and the trail was now being used for all sorts of
things, not just horse riding and walking as it once was - becoming very popular amongst bike riders and bush runners.
The Rokeby and Crossover Friends Group aims to protect and maintain the area for wildlife and visitors.
Other upgrades included in the State Government’s latest round of RTIF funding are Maffco Brewery and Taphouse in Maffra and the Red Pig Bakery in Toora.
Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing said food and nature were a big part of the story in Gippsland and the RTIF support for local projects meant more people would be able to discover the region’s rich local flavours, hospitality and beautiful outdoors.