Walking and cycling from Yarrawonga to Burramine on a beautiful sunny day is one step closer after it was announced last week Moira Shire will receive $617,950 in federal government funding for the Yarrawonga-Burramine Cycling Walking Trail.
Moira Shire Mayor Libro Mustica said Moira Shire Council would also contribute $300,000 and this trail was the first stage in the large Murray River Adventure Trail, designed to invite a whole new population, locals and visitors alike, to experience and appreciate the Murray River environs.
“I would like to thank the Federal Government for this funding contribution and in particular Damian Drum for his continued support and advocacy for our region,” Cr Mustica said.
“This is a fantastic start to the trail which I hope one day will go to Bundalong and even all the way to Cobram.
“It is a great start for the trails to the region and Moira Shire will be contributing $300,000 to this project also.
“While this first stage is a standalone project, it is part of an aspirational goal to link Yarrawonga and Cobram, a distance of approximately 40km, with riverside cycling/walking tracks.
“These initial works will see 13.5km of cycling/walking tracks to be constructed along the Murray Valley Highway heading west of Yarrawonga to Burramine.
“In addition, the already existing road and trail networks within the Murray River Park will be highlighted and promoted.”
Cr Mustica said variable distance loops will provide suitable options for walkers and cyclists of all levels of experience, ability and age.
“This project will offer an expanded tourism product for existing users of the Murray River Park and will benefit the various tourism businesses along the trail, as well as the neighbouring and connecting townships, through extending the length of stay with the flow-on boost to the economy and employment,” he said.
No timeframe however has been announced on the beginning of construction.
Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum said this project was among nine projects across the Nicholls electorate that will share in more than $2.8 million of Federal Government funding and would attract more tourists, build more businesses and create more jobs.
“The Yarrawonga-Burramine Cycling Walking Trail is a fantastic project. This funding and this particular project are all about improving tourist visitation,” Mr Drum said.
“Diversification is more than a buzz word when you look through the projects receiving funding in our region.
“The Federal Government is getting behind these ideas and I congratulate all successful applicants or generating innovative and practical projects that will have an enduring positive impact for our communities.”
Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism & Business Executive Noel Wright also said the new trails will benefit everyone.
“These trails will provide us with a new tourism product attracting a growing market we do not currently have,” Mr Wright said.
“This is a big market bringing with it many benefits to the local economy which we will all benefit from. They will be exciting projects that can’t come quick enough.”
With a number of businesses set to benefit from the track, owner of Airtree Golfers Resort Shayne Preer attended the announcement and expressed his joy and view on what the future will look like with the track.
“The track will connect us to the town and people won’t necessarily have to drive now,” Mr Preer said.
“It really is a big thing, you would be surprised how many will ride out there.
“The trail will not only benefit local business, but it will further provide the thousands of visitors each year a much safer and passive access to the Murray River parklands. The Murray Valley Highway’s shoulder is not sufficient for them to bike ride on at the moment.
“I’d really love to see a trail to join Yarrawonga to Wangaratta, the number of visitors we would see then would increase dramatically and with a number of other tracks in the area connecting to each other we could see a large loop.”
Mr Preer also concurred with Cr Mustica in relation to a similar trail from Yarrawonga to Bundalong.
“As a former resident of Bundalong I am still very keen to also see a tourism trail link out to Bundalong from Yarrawonga. Both trails do not take much work and the economic benefit would be huge.”
“Visitors are always coming into the stores and asking, ‘where can we ride?’. These trails are going to make Yarrawonga a destination,” Wingates Intersport and Bike Locker owner Maurice Wingate added.
Rich Glen Olive Estate owner Ros Vodusek said the track is an exciting project and it will be a great addition for the town and tourists alike.
“It is exciting…what I have learnt over the years is the most memorable experiences are the simple things in life - quality time riding on a safe picturesque track to me sounds amazing,” Mrs Vodusek said.
Byramine Homestead & Brewery owner Nicole McPherson is also looking forward to another attraction being added to the area and a safe way for cyclists to visit the businesses along that stretch of the Murray Valley Highway.
“We are very excited to have the walking/cycling track coming to the Byramine Homestead & Brewery,” Ms McPherson said.
“What a great day out for the locals and visitors; to set off from Yarrawonga on foot or bike and meander their way along an amazing trail. The track will expose our business to a whole new demographic of holiday makers.
“Cyclists will now be able to add the Yarrawonga – Burramine trail to their bucket list of rides. We look forward to welcoming visitors from the trail.”
A number of other projects in the Nicholls electorate to share in the funding include an upgrade of Ky Fauna Park’s reptile house and visitor facilities, the redevelopment of Tatura Library and a “glamping” pilot program led by the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Corporation.