Port Fairy-Warrnambool Rail Trail - Updates
About this page
The vision is for a 30km recreational trail starting at Lake Pertobe in Warrnambool, passing through fertile farmland to Koroit (with a connection to Tower Hill Reserve), and finishing at the delightful village of Port Fairy
The first section almost completed
April 08 Construction has begun on the first 1.5 km section in Port Fairy, due to be completed before June.
Works have also commenced at the Warrnambool end of the rail trail. This section is from the Stanley Street roundabout (along the eastern side of the Merri River) to Gillies Street.
Fencing works in the rural section of the rail trail should start in the next month. Pathway construction is likely to be performed in the spring/summer.
Sections and elements of the rail trail will be progressively completed and opened between now and late 2009. The entire project is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2009. .
Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail gets $935,000 from the Federal Government
Dec 06 Christmas has come early in the south west with Member for Wannon the hon David Hawker MP announcing that the Regional Partnerships Programme will contribute $935,000 to help build the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail.
This commitment, when combined with local contributions and the recent commitment of $850,000 from the State Government, ensures a high quality rail trail will be built between Warrnambool and Port Fairy.
The announcement coincides with a study that shows visitors to rail trails spend $258 per person per day. Businesses in Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Koroit should get ready for a surge in customers, particularly at quality food and beverage outlets. Click here for more on the rail trail economic study.
Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail gets $850,000 from the State Government
Oct 06 Minister for State and Regional Development, John Brumby, has announced that the $2.2 million rail trail linking Port Fairy and Warrnambool will be built with the help of an $850,000 grant from Regional Development Victoria.
“The Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail is the first project to be announced as part of the Bracks Government’s $8 million Provincial Pathways Program,” Mr Brumby said. Minister Brumby's media release can be viewed here.
Detailed designs are currently being completed for the rail trail. Construction should begin in early 2007 and will take between 18 to 24 months.
Warrnambool Council and Moyne Shire have applied to the Federal Government for similar funding and should know if they are successful in the coming months.
Seeking funding to start construction
May 06. Both the Warrnambool and Moyne Shires have pledged their support and necessary funds to gain State and Federal government funding for the trail. The councils are now working hard to complete funding applications. The aim is to commence construction work in January 2007.
In preparation for this a Friends of the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail group has just been formed. If you would like to help out the group, wherever you are from, contact the coordinator Bev Dowdell ph 5561 2010 email bev.d@bigpond.net.au
April 06 - Bicycle Victoria recently met with the federal member for Wannon, The Hon David Hawker MP, seeking his support for the Warrnambool to Port Fairy rail trail. Mr Hawker is very supportive of the trail and will be offering his support to the project when Moyne and Warrnambool councils submit their funding applications to the state and federal governments.
If you would like to show your support for the rail trail, send an email to Mr Hawker (David.Hawker.MP@aph.gov.au) to let him know how valuable you think this trail is to the south-west and that his support is welcomed and needed.
Jun 05. Bicycle Victoria is working with the Rail Trail Committee of Management to secure funding to start construction of the rail trail.
We met with state and federal government representatives in May to discuss the likelihood of being successful in obtaining funding through state and federal grants and the response has been encouraging. We have also been investigating potential corporate involvement.
In order to secure state and federal funding, both Moyne Shire and Warrnambool City Council need to be involved. We hope to meet with councillors from both municipalities in the near future to secure their support for the project.
In April 2005 Moyne Shire Council allocated $7,500 in their budget towards the rail trail provided Warrnambool City Council also contributes $7,500. With support and involvement from both councils, this relatively small amount of council funds can be used to attract large amounts of state and federal funding, as well as corportate contributions.
At this stage we are unsure of the level of committment from both councils to participate in the process to secure state, federal and corporate funding.
Feasibility study
In March 2005 a rail trail feasibility study was prepared after extensive research, a series of workshops, public meetings, and interviews with a mixture of key stakeholders including a number of landowners adjoining the railway corridor.
It outlines how a rail trail would be developed, how much it would cost and the management issues associated with such a trail, along with the conditions that need to be met to successfully allow the rail trail conversion.
The original railway line is overgrown in places, weeds have taken over, fences have deteriorated and the old bridges have become unusable since the railway ceased operations in 1977.The consulting team has compiled a detailed report on the works needed along the reserve to enable use by walkers and cyclists.
These improvements include trail surfacing, fencing and gates, bridge restoration, safe road crossings, signposting and interpretation.
The study reviewed concerns of neighbouring landowners and identified linkages from the trail to other local and regional attractions.
Become a Friend of the Rail Trail
Dale Nepean is starting up a Friends Group. If you would like to add your name to the list contact Dale on ddnepean@aapt.net.au or phone 5561 3736.