Discovery trail moving ahead

W“The delay has been because of the need to finalise plans to redevelop the tiered erosioncontrol system at Jeparit swimming hole” – Ron Ismay

ork on a 62-kilometre Wimmera River Discovery Trail is progressing with completion of a Dimboola visitor ‘node’.

The Dimboola node represents the starting or end point of the cycling and walking trail along the Wimmera River corridor between Dimboola and Lake Hindmarsh.

The node features a landscaped area behind Dimboola Library on the edge of the town’s shopping centre. It includes public amenities including toilets and a shower, and bicycle-security area.

State and federal governments provided Hindmarsh Shire Council with funding in 2019 to develop the $1.2-million Dimboola-to-lake Hindmarsh section of the trail. The Federal Government provided $600,000, the state $400,000 and the council $200,000.

The project includes developing the Dimboola node, leading users to a Nine Creeks trail and onto the discovery trail; a Jeparit node at a ‘swimming hole’ picnic area near a caravan park and tennis courts; signs and formalisation of existing trails along the river corridor and installing new sections of trail; and work on a pedestrian bridge across the Wimmera River at Jeparit.

The Jeparit node is in final design stage and will include updated barbecue and picnic facilities as well as an upgrade to foreshore assets and river access.

The Hindmarsh council is developing the area to be a focus point for Jeparit visitors in general as well as trail users.

The council is planning a community meeting in Jeparit this month to provide residents with an opportunity to view the draft Jeparit Visitor Node plans.

Hindmarsh mayor Ron Ismay said the council acknowledged delays in providing the community with details of plans for the Jeparit node.

“The delay has been because of the need to finalise plans to redevelop the tiered erosion-control system at Jeparit swimming hole, which has been completed,” he said.

COVID-19 restrictions have also delayed work on the trail.

The significance of the Wimmera River to the Wotjobaluk peoples is a key theme and highlight of the Wimmera River Discovery Trail.

The council has been working closely with Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Parks Victoria and cultural heritage advisors on the project.

Scoping of a trail alignment and cultural heritage surveys have uncovered new sites, which are in the process of being registered with Aboriginal Victoria.

While cultural heritage management plans are a part of the project, the vast majority of the trail will use existing vehicle tracks.