Rail trail dream
LEONGATHA and Korumburra could be linked by a rail trail under a possible proposal by South Gippsland Shire councillors, creating a massive tourism attraction for the region.
Councillors have been discussing the prospect of extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Leongatha to Korumburra alongside the existing railway.
Mayor Cr Jeannette Harding said an easement alongside the railway was wide enough to accommodate a rail trail without interfering with the South Gippsland Tourist Railway, or passenger or freight rail services if those ever returned to South Gippsland.
Work has begun on linking the missing gap in the rail trail at the Black Spur between Koonwarra and Meeniyan.
The new section joining Toora and Welshpool should be completed by the middle of January.
Once those works are done, the trail will span 69km from Leongatha to Welshpool.
If ever the rail trail was extended to Korumburra, the Great Southern Rail Trail would then span about 85km from Korumburra to Welshpool – and then to Port Welshpool via another existing trail – creating a major a tourist attraction.
That would be worth millions of dollars to the region’s economy annually.
“It was just suggested among the councillors that we have the trail from Korumburra to Port Welshpool because then we can advertise that we have a trail that goes through the whole shire,” Cr Harding said.
“It’s just a dream that we have at the moment but we are all feeling quietly confident that we will be able to achieve that one because the backbone is already there.”
Cr Harding said councillors would consult the community, the council and State Government about any more definite proposal.
“The public needs to know there is enough space there for the trail to go alongside the railway line and it won’t interrupt the train,” she said.
Max Semken, the Leongatha man who has long advocated for the return of passenger rail services to South Gippsland, welcomed the possible expansion of the rail trail to Korumburra.
“That corridor is wide enough for two railway lines and a rail trail,” he said.
“I would support having a rail trail all the way to Melbourne. If we had a rail trail with rail services, that would bring a lot of visitors to that region and that would mean more jobs.
“It’s another situation where rail trails and railways can combine.”
Mr Semken said the longer trail would be suitable for sporting events such as marathons and improve safety by removing athletes from roads.
“In Canada and England, their rail trails are up to 150 miles long. Why could we not connect our trail to one that linked Cranbourne and Pakenham and then connected to Puffing Billy?” he said.
“We could also have a linkage from the trail at Mirboo North to Leongatha as well. It could be a Federal Government jobs creation project over a few years.”
Gippsland South MLA Peter Ryan has previously said completing the Black Spur section would provide more than $1.9 million in annual economic benefits to the region through tourism related business opportunities, employment and new attractions.
Cr Harding said council wanted to meet with representatives of the new State Government as soon as possible to confirm state funding of $1.3 million – as promised by the previous Coalition Government – was still available to fund the missing link in the rail trail between Koonwarra and Meeniyan.
That project entails opening a 2.6km section of trail by restoring three bridges to be restored and/or constructed, and sections of trail to be built.
Cr Harding remained confident funding would be available, saying, “We understand they are going to go ahead with the Black Spur develop
Grand vision: the Great Southern Rail Trail, pictured between Leongatha and Koonwarra, could be extended from Leongatha to Korumburra.
ment of the bridges.
“Our CEO Tim Tamlin has had verbal expressions from the State Government that the Black Spur project is going ahead.
“It’s a huge safety issue because people are going back out on the road and back in again.”
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