Woolamai trail extension
Bass Coast Shire Council, has received funding to complete a feasibility study for the Woolamai- Nyora rail trail extension.
Bass Coast Shire Council, in partnership with South Gippsland Shire Council, has received funding through the state government’s Investment Fast Track Fund to complete a feasibility study for the Woolamai- Nyora rail trail extension.
This 25 kilometre section of trail is a missing link in the 1100 kilometre Gippsland Odyssey Trail.
Gippsland Odyssey will be one of the longest trails in Australia, extending all the way through Gippsland providing new active recreation and commuter links for the community and transforming key tourism infrastructure.
The purpose of the feasibility study is to identify all requirements that would need to be met to enable this project to proceed to detailed design and construction.
The development of the study will include extensive engagement with affected landowners, as well as identifying any permits, approvals and structural requirements that would be needed to construct this trail.
The completed feasibility study would allow the project to be considered to progress to detailed design and construction. This would be dependent on obtaining further funding and would likely be completed in stages over several years, given the size and complexity of the project.
Community benefits from growing Bass Coast’s Tracks and Trails network include connection to towns and the wider region, connection to nature, health and wellbeing and new tourism opportunities.
Bass Coast Shire Council said it has completed an economic impact assessment for this project. The Woolamai to Nyora section of the Gippsland Odyssey Trail is expected to inject $875,000 in direct economic benefit to the region throughout the planning phase of the project and a further $36.12 million in direct economic benefit throughout the construction phase.
A tender process will commence in mid-2023 to engage a consultant to deliver the feasibility study.
The feasibility study is expected to be completed in late 2023, and will be shared with the community.
Details at: engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/gippslandodyssey
