MANY community letters have been sent to Gannawarra Council after its unpopular decision to shorten the planned Kerang to Koondrook rail trail.
The more than 15 letters, seen by the Gannawarra Times, condemned the council for its decision, which it said was made after environmental constraints impacted the project’s initial concept designs.
The council used $500,000 provided by the State Government’s Regional Development Victoria Investment Fast Track Fund and $125,000 from its 2022-23 budget to complete planning works for the proposed 22km cycling and walking trail between the two towns.
The project’s initial proposal was to utilise the former tramway route between Kerang and Koondrook as a basis for the trail, however the trail’s proximity to the Ramsar-listed Fosters Swamp and areas of federally protected endangered grasses has led to a reduction in the length of the trail.
As a result of the initial planning, the council said it will focus on developing an alternative proposal involving a 9km rail trail between Koondrook and the former Hinksons railway station.
At the time of the funding announcement, then-mayor Charlie Gillingham said the project would drive economic growth to the region through increased visitation and expenditure.
Kerang Progress Association said it was disappointed the development’s original proposal wouldn’t progress.
“The side bike ride or walk from Koondrook to Kerang will be attractive to cyclists and walkers, whereas the 9.5km proposal would have little interest,” secretary Jacqueline Hibbert said in a letter to Mayor Garner Smith.
“The whole trail development would be of great economic benefit to both Koondrook and Kerang. Cyclists and walkers would stay for at least one extra night in the shire and given the historical importance of the trail, could encourage a longer stay.
“Accommodation and food outlets would be the most to benefit from rail trail, but so would other businesses, especially those which provide sports equipment.”
Kerang Traders Inc said the trail would provide nostalgia to historians, remembering a time when the railway was operational.
“While undertaking this adventure, they can stop at the wayside shelter platforms, these themselves are rare and significant structural buildings,” president Rebecca Hewitt said in letter of support.
“Information boards positions along the trail, the stops, the Ramsar importance including reference to flora and fauna, cultural heritage of the land, pioneers of the land and the interesting facts how this area was settled and the history about the irrigation system along the way.”
“By incorporating … Fosters Swamp, it will also highlight this landmark that it is indeed part of the Ramar overland as well as its importance in the area for saline environments.”
Resident Simon Monk said only completing a portion of the trail was “absurd”.
“Imagine the tourism promotion, ‘Come to Kerang to ride to nowhere’, he said.
“I have often drive part the rail and wondered why it has not been utilised for the benefit of the community,” he said.
Avid cyclist Margy Christian said it seemed a “waste of resources to do a partial section of the trail”.
“The trail does not need to be costly asphalt, but could be a consolidated gravel path, as I have ridden on trails that were this substance and it was quite safe,” she said.
“I encourage the completion of the trail to Kerang so that in future years, the continuation of the trail could continue to Lake Charm from Kerang. The shire has been made aware of this plan in precious years, but there has been no planning put in place for this yet.
“The trail would be more picturesque and more beneficial to tourism, passing the ibis rookery and following the Loddon River in places.”
Former Gannawarra Shire councillor Neil Gannon said he believed the council “may have acted too hastily in this decision”.
“Surely to put the ideas on the backburner for later consideration in the future would be a far better outcome rather than complete dismissal,” he said.
“The tourism opportunity of this project, to my mind, far surpasses the rather hasty idea to scrap the project.”
Another local Kerang cyclist, Terry Carter, said most of the roads in the district were unsuitable for cycling as the shoulders were narrow or non-existent, and traffic moved quickly.
“The perils of passing or being overtaken by a B double or a milk truck are obvious,” he said.
“Groups of cyclists on these roads are an accident waiting to happen.
“The existing sheds along the trail would provide sheltered resting places.”
Kerang Holiday Park in its letter said it relied heavily on visitors and tourism played a “vital role in our success”.
“Projects like the rail trail are crucial in attracting additional visitors to our region,” Dieu Nguyen and Tony Height said.
“The resulting flow-on effects would provide considerable benefits to local businesses and the broader community.”
In a document that challenged the council’s position on the trail, Ms Hibbert said no specific information had been made available by the council regarding endangered grasses.
“This trail’s feasibility study has placed the trail along the former tramway alignment,” she said.
“The experience with having generally environmentally conscious people being users of rail trails, such significantly reduces possible environmental damage by uncaring individuals.”
The Kerang to Koondrook tramway was broad gauge, with intermediate stations at Yeoburn, Hinkson, Teal Point and Gannawarra.
Ownership of the tramway was transferred to the Victorian Railways in February 1952 and it was officially closed on March 3, 1981.
Council chief executive Geoff Rollinson said as part of developing these revised designs, the council must consider a range of factors, including technical assessments, funding implications, and land tenure matters.
“Council has also received correspondence from community groups and residents regarding the project, with the information provided in these documents to be considered alongside the other factors already stated,” he said.
“Whilst this project involves complex challenges, council is committed to working through these constraints whilst ensuring the best outcome for the community.”
