Gippsland Plains Rail Trail - Update
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A dedicated group of local residents has been working for a number of years to convert the old railway line that ran from Traralgon, Glengarry, Heyfield, Maffra and Stratford in Gippsland. The trail will stretch 67km from Traralgon to Stratford when completed
More Flood Funds arrive to reinstate damage and help build new sections
22 May 2008 After devastating floods earlier this year the Trail has now received $420,000 in flood recovery funding to reinstate the trail which was taken out from Heyfield to the Tinamba side of Maffra.The Boggy Creek crossing at Tinamba has just been replaced and the GPRT Committee is now working on the Serpentine Creek crossing between Tinamba and Maffra. Wellington Shire Council has also committed some flood recovery money to connect the trail to the township of Stratford. The track into Maffra from Stratford will also be upgraded. This is all happening at the moment and hopefully will be finished in time for an official opening in July or August.
The Committee are also awaiting insurance money to replace the Rainbow Creek Bridge at Cowwarr. This will also mean that a small section of trail will open up to allow the machines access to the site. The Heyfield Lions Club have taken on the old Cowwarr Station grounds from us as a project. It is looking great and they have not only cleaned up the area but have put in place a Migrant Walk to commemorate the migrants who helped to build the irrigation infrastructure and who worked in the timber and agricultural industries locally.
The Committee are currently putting together an historic calendar for sale towards the end of the year. They are looking for any memorabillia in relation to the Traralgon, Glengarry, Toongabbie, Cowwarr, Dawson Siding, Heyfield, Tinamba, Maffra , Powerscourt Siding and Stratford railway stations. Tickets, photos or anything that can be copied would be much appreciated. Contact Helen Hoppner.
Flood recovery funds to build a new section of trail
Aug 07 The State Government has committed $90,000 to build 1.2km of new trail to complete the section of trail from Maffra to Stratford. This section of trail was officially opened in late 2005 but it actually finished a few kilometres to the south of Stratford leaving a difficult route into town.
These new funds should complete the link of almost 10km between Maffra and Stratford. This trail will be well used by locals and the increasing number of visitors to the region. Register for email me updates above and we will let you know when the new trail has been constructed.
Opening celebration: 1 October 2005
Sep 05 Celebrate the opening of the Maffra to Stratford section of the Gippsland Plains Railtrail on Saturday 1st of October 2005.
Glengarry-Toongabbie-Cowwarr section
Jun 05 Adjoining landowners will be putting up fencing in the Toongabbie to Cowwar section with materials provided by the Rail Trail Committee. There are a couple of bridge crossing in the Cowwarr area that still need to be completed.
Heyfield-Tinamba-Maffra section
Maffra to Stratford section
It is expected that the trail will be officially opened on Saturday 1 October 2005.
Bridge over Latrobe River
Public access created for trail
Feb 04 The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail was officially launched by the Hon. Peter Hall on Sunday 7 March 2005 at Toongabbie station site. The rail trail committee worked hard to complete the section between Glengarry and Cowwarr.
The nearby Fulham Correctional Centre also supplied a much meeded labour force to assist in the development of the trail.
A bridge is badly needed over the Latrobe River so that the 70,000 residents of Traralgon can easily access the rail trail. The Rail Trail Committee has approached the local Member of Parliament, Brendan Jenkins, but it is low on the list of his priorities.
Jun 05 The section from Heyfield to almost Maffra has been recently upgraded to a walking and mountain bike standard but is still quite rough for ordinary bikes.
Join in a fantastic community day to celebrate the re-opening of the railway link between Stratford and Maffra. Celebrations at both the Maffra and Stratford ends of the trail will culminate with the official opening of the Maffra to Stratford section of the Gippsland Plains Railtrail.
This 7km section of the railtrail will finally provide a safe trail for walkers, cyclists and joggers between Maffra and Stratford.
The Gippsland Plains Railtrail is marking the occasion by participating in the Victorian Government's Tree Planting Program as part of the Commonwealth Games Environment Strategy.
Come along from 10am onwards on the east side of the Dept. Sustainability and Environment building on the Maffra-Stratford road to plant one or many trees. Meet Commonwealth Games athletes, Karak, the official Games mascot and watch indigenous dancers.
Food will be provided by Maffra Lions Club. There will be a talk and a guided wildflower walk highlighting local lilies and orchids along the trail.
The Official Rail Trail Opening is at 1pm on the rail trail adjacent to the Commonwealth Games tree planting activities.
Jun 05 The Rail Trail Committee is putting together some developmental plans and are seeking funding to complete and upgrade the trail. They were successful in obtaining a $4,900 community grant from Wellington Shire Council.
"It's marvellous what you can do with small amounts of money," says Helen Hoppner from the Rail Trail Committee.
Despite a desperate need for larger amounts of funding, the Rail Trail group has achieved quite a lot, utilising their negotiation skills to construct sections of trail with the help of local contractors. Recently some pipes were put in over creek crossings.