Transplan's Trail Log

The Murrindindi Shire Council (Victoria) has appointed Transplan Pty Ltd to prepare a feasibility study for a trail between Alexandra, Thornton and Eildon – to link with the existing Great Victorian Rail Trail. The Council has received a grant from the Advancing Country Towns program of the Victorian Government.

The Project Brief makes the point that the study should evaluate the options against the following parameters:
o Attraction – the quality of the trail user’s experience of the natural, cultural and landscape values of the area.
o Financial viability – the whole of life costs (including construction) to Council of the trail extension.
o Environmental sustainability – the environmental impacts/risks associated with the construction and use of the trail.
o Land security – the complexity/ease of establishing land tenure arrangements necessary to secure the trail route.

Transplan Pty Ltd (with Mike Halliburton Associates) has been appointed by the Colac Otway Shire to prepare a feasibility study for the proposed rail trail between Forrest and Birregurra in Victoria. Already some 7km of the rail trail north of Forrest has been developed. This project will examine whether its continuation all the way to Birregurra is viable. The project brief outlines the objectives of the study as being to determine:

• The feasibility of establishing a shared-use trail on the former railway alignment between Birregurra, Deans Marsh, Barwon Downs and Forrest.
• The level of support for developing the proposed Tiger Rail Trail including from the community, landowners, tourism and business sector, and government.
• The demand for the proposed rail trail – understanding the target market, the proposed use, experiences and resultant visitation to the area particularly in light of the other existing and proposed quality trails in the region.
• The experiences that the proposed trail is best suited to offer and develop the experiences accordingly.
• The strategic fit for the development of trails including policy, strategic land use planning and literature support.
• The issues, barriers, constraints and opportunities associated with developing the proposed trail.
• The social, economic and environmental impacts and benefits of developing trails, in particular rail trails, in regional areas.
• Tourism/economic opportunities through trail development.
• A proposed route that has strong community, government and private landowner support.
• The capital cost and ongoing maintenance support required for the proposed trail, including identification of possible funding sources.
• Should the trail be considered feasible, an implementation plan with priority areas for action including the consideration of destination plans for each community along the proposed route.

The project includes a traverse of the corridor (where possible), and a thorough community engagement process involving discussions with key stakeholders including adjoining landowners.