Transplan's Trail Log

Transplan Pty Ltd has submitted to the Murrindindi Shire Council the draft of the Alexandra, Thornton, Eildon Trail Link Feasibility Study. This follows the earlier preparation of an “Issues and Opportunities” paper which highlighted the various factors that needed to be taken into account in determining whether a trail route was feasible, and which of the options considered was the most preferred. The study included 3 ‘open houses’ or ‘drop in’ sessions (at Eildon, Thornton and Alexandra), whereby the community was able to learn more about the project, ask questions about the possible route options and provide feedback to the consultants.

Transplan Pty Ltd has been appointed by the Murray Regional Tourism Board to prepare a feasibility study for the proposed Murray RIver Adventure Trail – between Albury/Wodonga and Mildura/Wentworth.
The Murray River Adventure Trail was identified as a top priority project in the Murray Region Tourism Destination Management Plan and is regarded as a project that would have the greatest positive impact on the entire Murray Region’s tourism industry.
The Murray River is already well used with a number of walking and cycling opportunities along its shores. Canoeing and other water sports are also popular recreational pursuits on the river. The intent is to create an iconic new product for the Murray River and enable visitors to travel on the river and along its banks in NSW and Victoria. The trail would attract new visitors to all areas of the river, increase their length of stay and provide opportunities for adventure tourism operators, leading to new nature based products and experiences.
Few trail experiences like this exist anywhere in the world. The Murray River is the third most navigable river in the world, after the Nile and Amazon, however the waterfront and river, as well as surrounding National and State Parks, are regarded as being underused and undersold to visitors. This presents the main opportunity for development in the region.
Transplan will work with Mike Halliburton Associates of Brisbane and SGS Economics and Planning of Melbourne in the preparation of a business case – examining the costs and benefits of the proposed trail.
Consultation with all 14 local governments in the study area, as well as with numerous other stakeholders, will form an essential component of the study to determine whether the proposed trail has merit.