Horsham - Mt. Arapiles Experience Trail - Updates
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This project is starting to generate momentum.
Progress on Trail Development
02 June 08 Horsham Rural City Council has agreed to support the development of the Mt. Arapiles Trail and have been asked at this stage to provide financial resources to the tune of $100,000. A financial commitment from Council will allow other sources of funding for the project to be identified, researched and secured, making the further development of the trail more likely. Council is currently under way with their 2008-09 budget deliberations which should be completed within a few weeks. Make sure to show your support for the development of the Trail, congratulate Council on offering their backing, and encourage them to start the process in a positive manner by fully funding the Trail in the upcoming budget!
May 05 Bicycle Victoria met with Horsham Rural City Council in May 2005 to suggest they carry out investigation into developing a tourism trail along the Wimmera River from Horsham to Arapiles.
We think there is enormous potential as it is:
- Easily accessible from both Adelaide and Melbourne
- Has services and facilities in Horsham and Natimuk to cater for trail users
- Links attractive natural and man-made features such as the Wimmera River, Quantong trestle bridge and Mt Arapiles
- Preserves an easement along the river and rail corridor which would create a biolink to protect remnant vegetation and enable access for weed control and fire prevention
- Expands on the areas existing 'outdoor activity' reputation but appeals to a broader cross-section of the community.
Natimuk would especially benefit from a tourism trail development linking it to Horsham and the Arapiles, as indicated in the Natimuk Township Urban Design Framework.
In September 2003 we met with the Natimuk Progress Association to put forward a proposal. A tourism trail connecting the township to Horsham would bring many benefits to the town, which has seen some of its services close in the last few years.
The Wimmera Times reported on 20/10/03 that Victorian Farmers Federation Horsham branch president, Bill Ower, told the council that members did not object to such a development but were concerned about the possibility of people using a narrow trail flanked by farming properties.
"Farming practices such as top dressing, spraying, gypsum spreading and the like could be an unexpected hazard for unsuspecting non-resident people," he is reported to have said.
Bicycle Victoria would like to see Horsham Council extend the existing trail along the Wimmera from Horsham. Natimuk residents could also receive immediate benefits if a short section of rail trail was developed from one end of the town to the other, creating a linear park for people to walk and ride along.