Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore rail trail

Why a ‘Last Chance’ ride to the Axe Creek Swing Bridge? Well, the aging Axe Creek Swing Bridge’s last full day was expected to be January 15, to be followed by the start of its demolition on Monday 16th. Nearing 19 years old, the swing bridge is to be replaced by a fixed span steel bridge for improved access on a new alignment with the existing trail. So a ‘Last Chance – Axe Creek Swing Bridge Ride on the O’Keefe Rail Trail was planned and successfully run by the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail on Sunday 15th January 2012.

The ride’s start point was near Weeroona Ave/Bendigo Creek Trail, at Lake Weeroona’s northern car park. Once on the O’Keefe trail, riders immediately experienced the new drainage and surface material upgrade works that Council completed in mid 2011. Then the Council’s current base upgrade works, for another section of the trail are presently under construction adjacent to the Mayfair Industrial Park in Bendigo East, were also observed. A final gravel-sand surface is to be applied in the coming week or two. Next to be observed was the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail’s replica Rifle Butts Platform project, adjacent Pratts Park Road, which is nearing completion. Of course riders enjoyed the many other natural attributes as their ride progressed, that come with riding on the O’Keefe Rail Traill.

Once at Axe Creek, the swing bridge provided a photo opportunity for the ride participants. History was being captured, as this the second bridge over the Axe Creek at this location in 123 years is to make way for a third bridge. To span this picturesque creek location, where a natural rock reef forms a natural weir in the creek down stream, this new bridge will be well above the permanent water catchment in the creek. This natural creek environment is where numerous rest stops and picnics have been experienced by many trail users over the years. The riders then returned to Bendigo, via the O’Keefe trail, enjoying this local attraction and perfect weather as a bonus.

NOTE to all trail users: As the section of trail between Hodges Lane and Longlea Lane will now be closed to all trail users, while bridge contractors conduct site works and the new bridge installation, a trail bypass route (via the McIvor Highway) has been signed.

Friends final stand on the Axe Creek Swing Bridge - January 15th, 2012.

The sign

The bridge as we knew it

A fantastic day was had by all at the recent Friends Spring in the Bendigo Bush ride – Saturday 17 September 2011.  The ride took us from Bendigo to Axedale and back along the O’Keefe rail trail. Total distance was about 40 km. Great weather saw riders and runners alike explore the trail, with its recently replaced bridges, viewing the historical replica mile posts, and wonderful commentary about the history and progress of the Rail Trail development.

The 1/2 way mark saw us enjoy the Axedale Community Trading Tables market for a BBQ lunch and some great produce and stalls.

Then after a short detour via the Campaspe river, the return journey took us back to Bendigo.

A day not to miss next year!

The members of the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail would like to invite you to our Annual Meeting on Wednesday 31^st August 2011 at 6.45 pm in the Bendigo and District Cycling Club rooms in the Tom Flood Centre.

With the guest speaker being Prof John Martin, it should be a very informative and stimulating evening.

After attracting significant funding in 2010 from the Victorian State Government and City of Greater Bendigo, the past year has shown steady progress in the upgrading and extending this rail trail after many years of deteriorating condition.

Some of the past year’s highlights are:

• Installation of six new bridges, to replace those removed when the railway was dismantled. Ironically this was delayed by the wet period last year.
• Solid progress has been made to replace the inadequate Axecreek swing bridge with one which is suitable for cyclists, walkers and horse riders.
• Reconstruction and resurfacing has commenced, with the section from Bobs St to Roh’s Rd being completed to provide a safe trail for all users.
• Route selection and planning by City of Greater Bendigo Council is under way to extend the trail to Heathcote (50 kms). With the involvement of Mitchell Shire, the vision is also to extend the trail onwards to Kilmore and Heathcote Junction (100 kms).
• Replacement of the historic mile posts is nearing completion for the Bendigo-Axedale section. The concrete replica 100 mile post can be seen near the Roh’s road crossing.

Request that you give thought to your nominations of official positions for 2011-12 year ahead. With some current occupants indicating that they will be handing their role on to another members to share the role, we look forward to receiving agreed nomination forms by 26 Aug at the latest please. Please download nomination form here.

Order of meeting will be as follows:

1. Apologies
2. Minutes of previous AGM (22/09/2010)
3. Convenor’s Report
4. Treasurer’s report
5. Election of Office Bearers
   Appointment of Officer in Charge (declare all positions vacant).
• Convenor
• Vice Convenor
• General Secretary
• Minute Secretary
• Treasurer
6. Guest Speaker

At the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting, there will be a general meeting.

Lawrie Edward

General Secretary

Easy rider: seven new bridges on the OKeefe rail trail are now open.

Tricky creek and culvert crossings are a thing of the past now six new bridges are open on the O’Keefe rail trail. The bridges, between Bendigo and Axedale, are the first major part of news works on the trail to be completed.

Wet weather hampered the project, which took five and a half months to complete. But while it’s now easy to cross creeks, many parts of the trail surface have suffered in the last unseasonally wet year. Your mountain bike is still probably the best way to check out the trail until surface upgrades are complete.

Bendigo to Axedale

The six replacement bridges between Bendigo and Axedale have all been manufactured. We believe council is expecting contractors on site in the last week of October, although that might be delayed slightly due to finalisation of an associated planning permit. The Friends are hoping the new bridges will all be commissioned by early next year. There’ll be a special celebratory ride when they are. We’ll send out word as soon as we know more.

Axe Creek

An Impact Cultural Heritage Plan (ICHP) will soon by underway as part of the redevelopment of the approaches to the Axe Creek suspension bridge. While that is happening, council is working on engineering designs for the approach works. No time frame on construction yet, but it will make crossing the creek much easier – at least for pedestrians and cyclists.

Works at Axe Creek will make the approaches to the bridge much easier - at least for cyclists and walkers

Tallarook

The Tallarook general store and post office is up for sale – right at the start of the under-construction Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail. Visitor to the Friends’ web site, Julia, says: “On a ride in Tallarook it came to my attention that the only shop in Tallarook was up for sale. I can’t believe our luck if we could get someone who had a great intrest in the rail trail or bikes to know about this little business, and it suited them, then it would be a great asset to the rail trail. If you could pass this info on to everyone you know then we just might get the right person to have a business at the start of the rail trail in Tallarook.” See:  Real Estate Guide for details.

Axedale

The Axedale general store is also up for sale. Is there a business opportunity here to cater for visitors’ needs for cake and caffeine?  See Real Commercial for details.