Last weekend the East Gippsland Rail Trail volunteer executive invited East Gippsland Shire Councillors including mayor John White and Crs Bernie Farquhar and Jodie Ashworth to ride the trail.
Committee chair Gaynor Rettino said it was an opportunity to show councillors the work that has been done to the trail over recent years and discuss the challenges the committee faces with ongoing maintenance funding.
“The committee had put a great deal of effort into upgrading the trail to its current standard. It will be a shame for the trail to go backwards as it is one of the state’s and East Gippsland’s tourism gems,” Gaynor said.
Prior to the councillors getting on their bikes, they were given a brief history of the trail.
According to past chairman Bruce Bowden, East Gippsland Shire have never regularly contributed any financial assistance to the trail. Bruce said it would be magnificent for the new council to support the trial committee with annual funding of between $70-$100,000 to maintain the 100-kilometre trail from Bairnsdale to Orbost, the corridor of the old railway line.
Michelle Webb from Snowy River Cycling utilises the trail as part of her business providing bikes and transport to groups.
“The recent upgrades have attracted more visitors to the area and the word is spreading that the trail is one of the best in Australia,” she said.
Michael Oxer, a resident of the area and now retired from the district, was a past chairman of the East Gippsland Rail Trail, said he was frustrated by the lack of enthusiasm or interest shown by the shire.
Councillors who rode the trail listened to the details provided by the committee, who hope a candle of enthusiasm has been lit for council. The mayor extended an invitation to rail trail committee to address a full council and discuss possible opportunities of a partnership.
Local councils across Australia that have rail trails have promoted and financially invested to encourage local business and visitors to their regions and it is hoped east Gippsland Shire will follow suit.
Mr Bowden said the interest of this new council is a breath of fresh air and it may will be a turning point for the local trail to elevate itself to one of the best in Australia, as it was the vision of the foundation committee many years ago.
