Funding for rail trail

Published on 21 May 2020

Council has welcomed the Victorian Government’s support of the Macedon Ranges Shared Trail project with an $8.75 million grant.

Designed to encourage cycling, walking and running for people of all abilities, the Macedon Ranges Trails Project will provide shared use trail links that connect some of the major towns across the Macedon Ranges.

Covering over 23 kilometres, the trails will link Woodend to Macedon, Macedon to New Gisborne and New Gisborne to Riddells Creek.

The trail will enhance the vibrant and varied tourism offerings in the Macedon Ranges and improve community health and social inclusion by providing a safe, shared and accessible trail for everyone to enjoy.

Mayor, Cr Janet Pearce thanked the government for its generous financial contribution.

“We have heard from our community that safe pedestrian and cycling paths for all ages and all abilities is important. Also that connecting areas within each town and linking the towns to each other in our Shire is a priority. Importantly this will also support our tourism and small businesses which is a perfect combination.

“We know that the natural environment is a big part of what makes our shire so unique, and we can share this all by linking our natural rural landscapes, environment, towns, heritage and community and visitors all together.

“Council prepared feasibility reports for these trails  in 2018 and is so pleased that the opportunity to progress this wonderful project has been supported.”

Council will now begin working with public land managers to finalise design and commence work as soon as possible.

The grant announcement is part of the government’s Building Works package, which will provide $2.7 billion towards shovel-ready projects – big and small – to get thousands of people back to work.

The Building Works package includes $382 million in upgrades, maintenance and new experiences at tourism destinations across the state and will create jobs as well as stimulating the economy.

Companies engaged to complete the work will be required to find new employees through Working for Victoria in the first instance.