IT’S understandable that the proposed Kerang to Koondrook Rail Trail has been canned due to the 22km cycling and walking trail going through a Ramsar-listed site and its proximity to protected grasses in the area.
Thing is, there is basically nowhere to ride a pushbike apart from on the local roads, and riding on the highway is not the safest pastime.
A link between Kerang and Koondrook would be brilliant. The downgraded bike trail from Koondrook to Teal Point would be a waste of money in Kurl’s opinion.
Years ago the Shire pushed through the pipeline from the Murray River in Koondrook to Kerang. Couldn’t the bike tail follow the same or similar path?
Crossing channels would be solved by a lift-in steel walking bridge with rails as per the Mill Drain bridge in the back swamp area, then a cantilevered footpath on the side of the Pyramid Creek bridge should be easy enough as the infrastructure would be there to build off.
A cheap option for the cattle underpass would also be a small bridge and at the Barr Creek it could be a footpath on the current bridge where cyclists could walk.
The main point in all of this is there are plenty of inexpensive options that need to be explored. It’s too easy to say we can’t do it.
HAD a lovely chat with Audrey Napier the other day. Audrey and Ian “Copper” are both doing well and as the Napier family have been involved in cricket in Kerang since “forever”, we obviously had a chat about cricket from yesteryear.
One memory was playing for Pyramid Hill in the Miller Shield down at the High School oval against the Kerang lads. Audrey and Ian’s son Alan was captain of the Kerang team and for afternoon tea, both teams ventured over to the Napier’s house for some lovely refreshments and cakes under their shaded verandah.
Always a bit “thingy” about afternoon tea as I prefer a cup of tea because my mum said it helps you cope with the heat, I had to ask for one and spoke to one Mrs Napier. She obliged with a lovely cuppa which was followed by the prescribed cordial and cakes.
Mrs Napier – that was about 51 or 52 years ago. Cannot be bothered counting back, but that memory will remain forever.
JACK Whitehead and old mate Barney are always catching up for a cuppa and generally sit outside Chino’s and have a good old chinwag. Won’t be long before it gets a bit warm for them and they may have to move inside.
They were sitting there in the morning last week and they were still there quite a bit later that day. They probably should have stayed for lunch.
Both finally realised they’d better do something and Jack was in such a hurry to leave that he left his phone and hat on the table. His phone isn’t such a problem as he never answers it anyway, but without his hat, a few minutes in the sun could be dangerous … believe me, I know.
SO poor old Scott Boland missed out on Test selection after Josh Hazelwood was deemed fit to play.
This bloke is unluckier than Stuart McGill, although they claim he is missing selection for the same reason. Thing is that he’s not injury prone like Hazelwood. Hazelwood is a great bowler but we don’t know if Boland is better, although his figures indicate he is.
Now that has been said, watch Hazelwood dominate.
It’s pretty hard to get out of the Test team.
THE Kerang Neighbourhood House held a brilliant day at Kerang Primary School on Sunday.
The Tinsel ‘n Tongs was a free day for the community with presents donated from local business and individuals from all over town.
There was also free face painting, fairy floss and sausage sizzle, with Santa also donating free presents to all children.
This was a ripping initiative from the Kerang Neighbourhood House and one they should be very proud of.
Claire Fry was working very hard in the office and Mayor Garner Smith was also there.
Garner spent a bit of time chatting to Westwind representative Alistair who had set up a nice bit of shade on the lawn area
CHRISTMAS is just around the corner. Hope you all drink enough, eat too much and get that sleep in the afternoon.
Best wishes to all.
