Posted by: scratchpaper | January 19, 2010

Tell Regional Development Victoria why you support this trail

As we reported in December, the City of Greater Bendigo is preparing a submission to Regional Development Victoria for funds to get the trail to Heathcote, which is the boundary of this council. We need to demonstrate community support for the project.

Please send us an email using the form below or letter of support to include in the submission, stating where you’re from and why you’d like to see the trail extended. The more statements of support we can collect the better, so a small investment of your time could have big returns on the ground.

Council has given us a pretty short deadline – please have your statement to us by midnight next Tuesday 26 January.

Post
Mr Craig Niemann
CEO, City of Greater Bendigo
C/- Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail
PO Box 1238
Bendigo  Vic  3552

We look forward to hearing from you! Here’s the form for your email statement of support. It comes to the Friends and we’ll collate for the submission:

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Posted in Funding

Posted by: scratchpaper | December 23, 2009

Wins on getting to Heathcote

Unanimous vote for funding

At its meeting on 16 December, the City of Greater Bendigo council voted unanimously to support preparing a detailed grant submission to Regional Development Victoria to fund the extension of the trail to Heathcote. Councillors spoke enthusiastically about the tourism and economic development potential and what a marvellous asset it will be for local communities to enjoy and improve the health and wellbeing of their members. Some Councillors even mentioned going to Kilmore, which is well outside this council’s boundaries, yet is definitely the ‘big picture’ vision of our group..

The resolution means council is willing to fund part of the development, as grants generally require co-contributions from local government.

The grant submission should be ready by March 2010. (Read the report submitted to council. PDF 100 kb)

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Six new bridges

The City of Greater Bendigo has called for tenders to design and build replacement bridges between Bendigo and Axedale for the trail. Construction does depend on funding, but that’s being worked on (see above). See the council’s web site for details.

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Counters installed

You are being watched! The council has installed two counters on the trail, one at the Strickland Rd original wooden railway bridge (only one of two between Bendigo and Heathcote) and the other at the Axecreek swing bridge. This information will help back up anecdotal evidence about the trail’s usage with some hard figures – all good when you’re applying for funding to upgrade and extend.

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Job opportunities next year

Bendigo council is very supportive and things are happening at the Bendigo end of the trail, but there’s still lots of work to do. Early 2010 we’ll be preparing our ‘battle plan’ for the year ahead – and looking for some more hands to help.

Immediately, we’re looking for someone to take on either the communications or the secretarial duties. (The two are a bit big for one person to manage.) So if you have skills to fill either and a couple of hours a week to put in, please let us know.

Thanks to all those who’ve done some fabulous work this year. We’ve achieved some great things so far, in a relatively short time frame.

Have a safe and happy Christmas and we look forward to meeting up with you all on the trail next year!

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Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: bendigokilmore | December 14, 2009

Council to vote on funding for rail trail

We’ve been advised that the City of Greater Bendigo council will vote this Wednesday on whether to put some resources into applying for funding to get the rail trail to Heathcote. Council officers had prepared a report on the trail, its needs and its potential which has been distributed to councillors. This week they’ll vote on whether to support it.

Can you show your support?

We know it’s awfully short notice this close to Christmas, but if you’re available, please come and show your support:

  • When: Wednesday 16 December, 6.00 pm
  • Where: Reception room (upstairs at the town hall, Lyttleton Terrace)

We believe the rail trail will be discussed sometime between 6.00 and 7.00 pm.

Look forward to seeing you there.

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Posted in Funding

Posted by: scratchpaper | November 1, 2009

Upgrades on the O’Keefe trail

O'Keefe Trail_Longlea Lane 002
A new off-road path joins the O’Keefe trail at Longlea Lane.

For some years past, the trail has meandered partly through private land at Arakoon Water Park. Through our good working relationship with the City of Greater Bendigo Council, this part of the trail is currently being realigned back onto the original railway alignment. Works are in progress, with the installation of a culvert pipe for drainage and reforming/gravelling of the trail. Arakoon will soon be ‘officially’ bypassed by the trail.

The trail from Longlea Lane to the Axe Creek swing bridge has been regraded, and we are hoping for a new gravel surface to be installed soon.

Also, from our discussions with council, the crossing over Longlea Lane has been realigned. No need to ride down a 100 kph road. You can now zip straight across (carefully!) and ride down a new off-road path to rejoin the trail. Final path surfacing of this new section is expected to be completed soon.

The City of Greater Bendigo has engaged a landscape architect to redesign the approaches to the Axe Creek bridge, to improve the safe access onto the swing bridge, although the bridge itself will stay. Gaining funding/grants for this work will now be the next step to allow this upgrade to begin.

The council has also been assessing the missing bridges on the trail, between Bendigo and Axedale, and the outcomes of this should determine how best to deal with their replacement. We await the outcome of this study, and then possible funding options to address the recommendations.

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Posted in Works

Posted by: scratchpaper | November 1, 2009

Can you help with the Bendigo Bushland trail?

Our Bushland Trail champion, Lindsay Clay, has been talking to council, DSE and Parks about lavishing some TLC on this iconic, but much-neglected trail. (See map on bikely.com)

We learned recently that a council officer has drafted a Memorandum of Understanding to underpin cooperation between the three agencies. We’ve also spoken with CVGT about the possibility of taking on part of the resignage project that’s desperately needed. If you want to help out on that project – on the ground, or lobbying the three agencies, contact us using the form below:

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Posted in Community consultation

Posted by: scratchpaper | November 1, 2009

Iconic trails study

Have your say – what makes an iconic trail?

The Loddon Mallee Region Iconic Trails Strategic Plan is a joint project of
ten local governments and number of state government departments to identify
potential walking, cycling, mountain biking, canoeing and horse riding
trails of regional significance that will attract domestic and international
tourists to the area.

The study is looking at what makes a trail significant; what features are
required to attract trail users and which natural and cultural features are
likely to be of interest in this region to potential trail users.  Have
your say on this online survey (open until end November).

There will also be a number of workshops held throughout the region:

  • Cycling / mountain biking workshop in Woodend on Monday 16 November
  • Walking trail workshop in Wedderburn on Tuesday 17 November.

See www.communityvibe.com.au for details of other workshops.

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Posted in Community consultation

Posted by: scratchpaper | November 1, 2009

Meetings, meetings

Coliban Water

We met with Coliban Water and its representative Karin Van Poppel, Property Risk Officer at Coliban Water at the end of September. Coliban Water is keen to support community based recreational development where it can on land under its control. Initial indications are that parts of the proposed trail do go through Coliban Water controlled property.

Since that meeting, an eagle-eyed Friend spotted a property for sale near Derrinal that includes a lease from Coliban for a section of the original railway reserve. We have been got in touch with Coliban Water to see whether they were aware of the sale (they weren’t) and we have now registered our interest in this particular lease.

If you see anything like that, please let us know by email (see how to contact us) or by phoning Garry Long 0409 565 404 and we’ll get in touch with the appropriate authority.

Damian Drum MLC (Nationals)

Damian also indicated support for development of the trail. Rail trails had come up during a recent tourism enquiry, so he was familiar with the concept. State elections are due next year, which raises opportunities for commitments to projects like this. Damian said he would aim to have it put on the coalition’s tourism agenda, which should put some pressure on Labor to match it. However, they would all want to see a feasibility study with costings, hurdles, routes and so on before committing to the project. We will continue to lobby both councils and the state government for a feasibility study to be completed. Here’s the handout we left with Damian (PDF 225kb).

Mitchell Shire council

Kilmore sits within Mitchell Shire and we were fortunate to be able to brief the Mitchell Shire council late in October about the proposed trail. Mitchell Shire is currently up to its ears in the development of the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail (134 km from Tallarook to Mansfield). We made it clear we didn’t expect them to commit any resources at this stage, but we would like an in-principle agreement to support the project. Such agreement would help protect public lands through which the trail might pass from being sold off or designated for other purposes. The Mayor said they would take it to a strategic meeting for a decision. We’re now waiting to hear. Here’s the handout we left with the council (PDF 485kb).

Jacinta Allan (MP) Minister for Regional and Rural Development

We have a meeting in Bendigo with the Minster in mid-November. We’ll be briefing her on the proposal and asking what we need to do to secure funding for the project.

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Posted in Community consultation, Funding

Posted by: scratchpaper | August 12, 2009

Ride the O’Keefe rail trail this spring

The City of Greater Bendigo and the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail are hosting a free community ride along the O’Keefe Rail Trail as part of the Spring in the Bendigo Bush program. The ride will explore the rail trail to Axedale and return through the beautiful Wellsford Forest using forest tracks and roads.

O'Keefe Trail-End of the Line!

The ride is suitable for people who are regular cyclists and have a good level of fitness.

Day: Saturday 5 September 2009,
Time: 9.00 am to around 2.00 pm (approximately 5 hours by the time we look at features along the way and stop for refuelling).
Distance: About 45 km

Bookings

You’ll need to book as places are limited. Contact Anthony Sheean on (03) 5434 6374 or 0419 762 787. Departure/meeting details will be provided when you book.

What to bring

  • A mountain or hybrid bike in good working order
  • Spare tube and repair kit
  • Comfy clothing including a raincoat and sturdy shoes
  • Bike helmet
  • Sunscreen
  • Plenty of fuel – lunch and snacks
  • Plenty of water (at least two full water bottles or a hydration backpack)

You might also want to bring

  • Camera and binoculars
  • Local field guides
  • Thermos

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Posted in Activities

Posted by: scratchpaper | July 22, 2009

Bendigo community briefing a success

Fifty-six people turned up for the Bendigo community briefing about the O’Keefe rail trail and beyond on Monday 13 July.

City of Greater Bendigo Crs Rod Campbell and Keith Reynard, both supporters of the project, jointly chaired the meeting. Director City Futures, Stan Liacos, and Manager Recreation, Pat Jess, both spoke. This was followed by a five-member panel which drew together a range of experience and knowledge about trails. Members of the panel included:

  • Professor John Martin
    Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, La Trobe University
  • Colin Smith
    Senior Project and Commercial Manager, Department of Primary Industries
    - member of original O’Keefe Committee of Management
  • Keith Longridge
    town and recreation planning (various councils)
    - recreation planner during development of Lilydale to Warburton rail trail
  • Greg Jones
    President Mitchell BUG
    - involved in planning for recently funded Goulburn River High Country rail trail
  • Amy Groch
    Manager, Land and Fire, Department of Sustainability and Environment Bendigo
    - responsible for recreation coordination and planning across the north-east region

A detailed summary of the meeting follows.

Read More…

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Posted in Community consultation

Posted by: scratchpaper | July 5, 2009

July community briefing follows a busy June

Community briefing in Bendigo

Are you interested in riding or walking on rail trails? Ever wondered what trails can do to benefit your business or community economically? If you are in or close to Bendigo, join us at a community briefing on Monday 13 July.

At the request of the Friends, the City of Greater Bendigo is hosting the briefing to discuss the development of the Bendigo-Kilmore rail trail:

When: Monday 13 July, 7.30 pm
Where: RL Campbell Theatrette, library building 279 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo

  • The Friends’ will explain their long-term vision.
  • Council will outline its plans for the trail.
  • We’ll have a guest speaker with experience of other successful trails.
  • And we’ll be looking for more hands to join the committee – there’s lots to be done.

Contact the convenor, Garry Long, if you have any questions about the meeting (phone 0409 565 404).

Recent Friends’ activities in June

Meeting with Bendigo council

Garry Long, Ken Hanson and Helen Cronin met with the Directors of City Futures and Community Wellbeing, as well as recreation and assets staff. Council had done some work in 2007 on planning an extension trail from Axedale to Heathcote.

A number of options are being considered to cross the Campaspe River at Axedale, and proposed that the next trail extension might start at Heathcote and come back towards Axedale since parts of that section may be easier to develop.

Council is now preparing a formal proposal, drawing on its previous work on the project, that can be used to seek future funding. The council also agreed to make contact with Mitchell Shire to open the conversation about running the trail all the way to Kilmore.

Presentation to the Bendigo Tourism Board

First page of the handout to the Bendigo Tourism BoardGarry Long and Helen Cronin made a presentation to the Tourism Board highlighting the tourism potential of long-distance and well marketed rail trails. The proposed trail could form the back bone of a strategy to market cycling in the region more widely, including assets like the Bendigo Bushland Trail. The presentation was well received with some pertinent questions asked. We left them with a two-page summary of the presentation (PDF 176kb).

Railway history

Garry Long has been speaking with two people who remember the Heathcote Junction to Sandhurst railway. One is a woman lived in Axedale for many years and is currently digging through her personal archives for material about the railway. The other is a railway buff who rode the last train ever to run on the line.

As the project progresses we’ll be looking for more oral and material history of the line. Keep that in mind if you’re talking to any old timers or people with an active interest in the history of the region.

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Posted in Activities

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