“THE STAR” Tuesday, December 12, 2017 - PAGE 3
Authorities discuss rail trail extension
Trail talk
NEGOTIATIONS have begun between South Gippsland Shire Council and VicTrack to secure the rail corridor between Leongatha and Nyora for the extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail.
This is the first stage in preparing a funding submission to extend the rail trail, which was earmarked as a priority project in this year’s council plan. “It is not a quick process and options will need to be presented to council for consideration,” council’s coordinator grants/emergency management Penni Ellicott said. “Council has already completed costs estimates for its section of the extension from Welshpool to Alberton, which was done as part of Foster to Welshpool extension project investigation.” An economic business case is being jointly progressed between the South Gippsland and Wellington shire councils for this section of the trail. South Gippsland council’s manager economic development and tourism Renae Littlejohn said the rail trail opens up the south eastern part of South Gippsland as a destination. “Its coastal link is a rare element for rail trails and now there is closer linkage with the Long Jetty, Agnes Falls and other natural assets, and a greater capacity to retain people for longer stays,” she said. Ms Littlejohn said the rail trail provides a mar-
keting benefit for the whole region because the length of the trail encourages overnight stays, which impacts accommodation, and energises the food and beverage culture. “Being a year round activity also helps to increase the number of visitors in shoulder and offpeak seasons,” she said. “This opens opportunity for business investment which is evident in small towns like Fish Creek and Meeniyan, and encourages tour groups from other areas to use our rail trail, which increases visitor spend.” Ms Littlejohn said the economic benefit of extending the trail further was yet to be determined. Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Brenton Williams welcomed the proposed extension of the rail trail. “With the job losses announced at Murray Goulburn recently, the government could inject a bit of money back into the area so we can do stuff like that,” he said. Mr Williams said the popularity of the existing trail was an indication it provided an economic benefit. “It is massive. Lots of people come down and use it every week. Koonwarra for example is busy all the time with rail trail users,” he said. Korumburra Business Association president Noelene Cosson said extending the trail from Leongatha to Korumburra was an exciting prospect. “It would make the community more liveable and promote fitness and activity for all abilities in a
Leongatha pushes for major projects Continued from page 1. Gippsland South MLA Danny O’Brien said he has encouraged chamber and council representatives to highlight the projects they think should be funded to help stimulate the local economy. “The announcement of new jobs at Burra Foods and ViPlus at Toora will help soften the blow, but there are plenty of local projects the Labor Government could get on with to help stimulate the local economy, including an upgrade of the South Gippsland Highway, better public transport links, funding stage two of the Korumburra Secondary College redevelopment and many more,” he said. “I’ve also asked the Minister for Industry and Employment, Ben Carroll, to ensure all available State Government resources are applied to help the workers who will be out of a job. This may include retraining, skills counselling or other services the State Government and its agencies can provide. “Unfortunately Labor’s Harriet Shing has already made it clear in local media that the Melbourne Labor Government has no intention of delivering special assistance for the region, which is symptomatic of its approach to South Gippsland.” Labor’s Eastern Victoria Region MLC Harriet Shing said the government would help affected MG workers by providing assistance in re-training and financial counselling through the Latrobe Valley Authority. Its office is based in Morwell and Ms
Shing encouraged affected MG workers to contact the authority. She said the authority was already equipped to deal with extra demand from MG workers and would not receive further funding. As for Cr Edwards’ call for $19.5 million for Leongatha, Ms Shing said the comments were made as a “throw away”. Ms Shing said the jobs lost at Hazelwood were the result of a “fundamental change to the sector”, whereas “everyone will need the dairy industry”. Council CEO Tim Tamlin said at the meeting, council was not asked to take any specific immediate action, but said council would continue to lobby for state support of the Leongatha rail yards and Bair Street redevelopments. At its December 20 meeting, council will vote whether to adopt the final master plan for the transformation of the rail yards, start detailed design and investigate funding opportunities. Council planners are still finalising plans for the new look Bair Street. Attending last Wednesday’s meeting were Cr Edwards, Mr Tamlin, Mr O’Brien, Eastern Victoria Region MLC Edward O’Donohue, Mr Williams, Murray Goulburn’s general manager policy, industry and government, Ben Gursansky, and Leigh Kennedy, regional manager for Regional Development Victoria Gippsland.
Petition gaining momentum: owner of The Bicycle Fitting Store in Korumburra, John Kennedy, said a petition supporting the extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail to Korumburra was progressing well, with hopes to present it to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in February. through these towns and I can see at least one house safe environment,” she said. “It would be great for the economy with increased sale a month in Korumburra linked directly to the tourism and increases in the amount of time people rail trail.” spend in the area. “It makes good sense to have it extended to Loch and Nyora as well. These towns have a lot to offer tourists and it is a great way to showcase South Gippsland making accessibility for Melbournians so much closer.” Owner of Korumburra’s Bicycle Fitting Store, John Kennedy, said a petition launched to further push the project was gaining momentum. “We need to fast forward this project. The rail trail extension would mean riders would pass through both Korumburra and Leongatha; adding a real boost to the economies of both towns,” Mr Kennedy said. “I can see a thousand people a month going
LEONGATHA CHEMIST ON DUTY
THIS SUNDAY NAGEL’S PHARMACY
10am - 1pm
SMI830352
By Sarah Vella