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Linking central Victoria via the old railway line
The North Central News story (page 3, 18th November 2014 edition), reported on an election commitment for the proposed Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail, in lead up to the 2014 Victorian State elections on 29th November. Labor candidate for Euroa, Clare Malcom was joined by Shadow Minister for Regional and Rural Development Jacinta Allan at Pyalong, to announce the election promise.
The announced commitment was to fund a feasibility study for the proposed Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail, and this trail forming a network of linked trails in regional Victoria.
Hoping that affected landowners, residents and business owners are giving full and transparent access to any feasibility study undertaken… It would be great if Mitchell Shire Council invited all stakeholders to a forum at the START of a feasibility study so they can have full information about how such a project might affect them and how they can contribute information to the study. I question the cost of $150 000 to conduct such a study, is a report worth $150 000 or could the community and the council figure it out – isn’t this what the Infrastructure and Planning departments are there for?
Feasibility study reports are necessary to identify the various matters that need to be considered in determining if and how such proposals as the Wallan to Heathcote rail trail should be progressed. It is expected that community consultation would be an important element of such a study.