Potential Regional Cycling and Walking Trails in Moira Shire 16/08/13 About this document Contents This is the report of an investigation of potential regional cycling and walking trails in Moira Shire. Executive Summary ............................................. 2 This document presents the key issues and 1. Introduction ................................................ 4 opportunities for the provision of regional trails 2. Benefits of trails .......................................... 6 with regard to the location of the Shire, visitor 3. Context ........................................................ 8 attractions and potential users. 4. Identification and assessment of Acknowledgments potential regional trails ............................. 13 @leisure acknowledges the contribution made by 5. General issues relating to trails ................. 26 staff of Moira Shire Council, particularly Lonnie 6. The way forward ....................................... 32 All rights reserved. O’Dwyer and Geoff Hay (Economic Development), 7. Action Plan ................................................ 35 No part of this publication may be and a range of stakeholders in providing reproduced, stored in a retrieval information and comments that have 8. Appendices ................................................ 37 system or transmitted in any form, contributed to this report. by any means, without the prior written permission of Moira Shire Council and @leisure Rear 534 Mt Alexander Rd Ascot Vale Vic 3032 P: 03 9326 1662 E: [email protected] www.atleisure.com.au POTENTIAL REGIONAL CYCLING AND WALKING TRAILS IN MOIRA SHIRE 1 16/08/13 Moira Shire’s tourism sector is a major driving Potential regional trails Executive Summary force in the Shire’s economy, as it is relatively large, has strong linkages in the local economy, Trails offer a range of benefits to individuals, and earns a substantial proportion of its income communities and the environment. These Context from outside the Shire. include promotion of physical and social health and wellbeing opportunities, education about The purpose of this project is to determine the Tourism also provides qualitative benefits to the natural and cultural environments, and economic potential for cycling and walking trails in Moira Shire in terms of enhancing the attractiveness of returns to local communities. Shire that can enhance the visitor experience to the Shire as a place to live in the provision of There are a number of regional communities in the Shire and provide additional activities for enhanced recreational activities, entertainment, Australia who have significantly benefitted from local residents. eating-out and the appealing qualities of the built environment. the establishment of regional trails. The key attractions of Moira Shire are centred on The Shire also has connections with trails, Whilst there are numerous walking and cycling the Murray River and based on natural features. trails that have been developed or are informally These include: attractions or recreational activities in adjoining municipalities, including: used in Moira Shire, none are considered to have ■ Barmah National Park regional significance. ■ Rutherglen area ■ Lake Mulwala The Murray Valley Trail was proposed in the ■ Murray to Mountains Rail Trail ■ A multitude of beaches along the river, Victorian Trail Strategy 2005-2010 to be a multi- particularly between Cobram and ■ Echuca use trail along the length of the Murray River. Yarrawonga ■ Ovens Valley area This will extend 1,800km from the mountains in ■ The confluence of the Ovens River with the ■ King Valley area northeast Victoria to the mouth in South Australia. Murray River (at Bundalong) ■ Dookie and Mt Major Fourteen potential regional trails were ■ Other State forests and park reserves along ■ Benalla the river. investigated as part of this project. A two-stage ■ Shepparton approach was used to assess potential trails. Most visitors to the Shire are principally attracted ■ Wangaratta Stage 1 determined the regional significance of a by water-based recreation opportunities such as potential trail and Stage 2 determined its priority boating, fishing, camping and kayaking / ■ New South Wales border towns of Barooga, for construction. canoeing. Mulwala and Tocumwal ■ Ned Kelly Touring Route. POTENTIAL REGIONAL CYCLING AND WALKING TRAILS IN MOIRA SHIRE 2 16/08/13 General issues relating to trails The lower priority trails along the Murray River Key findings are: The success of a regional trail in Moira Shire will depend on the establishment of ongoing Analysis has found a number of potential cycling a) Bundalong to Wahgunyah (approximately partnerships between relevant stakeholders to and walking trail routes in Moira Shire that could 30km), and connecting with the Murray to coordinate trail related activities and ensure be regionally significant. These largely follow the Mountains Rail Trail and Rutherglen trails can be funded, promoted, serviced and Murray River, which is the primary attraction in b) Tocumwal to Barmah (approximately 66km) maintained. the area. Maps 3-5 illustrate these trails. c) Barmah to Echuca (approximately 30km). Trails must be well-designed and maintained. The highest priority trail should be Cobram to There are also opportunities to create circuit Adequate facilities also should support users at Yarrawonga. This would be approximately 40km trails and different user experiences, including: in length. It is proposed that different reaches of trail heads and along the route. a) Along the Ovens River from Bundalong to the trail be developed to provide for a range of Wangaratta A high quality visitor experience will help assure users and user experiences. return visits and longer stays. This in turn will b) Along Broken Creek from Barmah to contribute more to the local economy. The medium priority trails are: Tungamah (via Nathalia, Numurkah and a) Yarrawonga to Bundalong (approximately The majority of the preferred trail routes can be Katamatite) 20km) located on existing public land, such as foreshore c) Along rail corridors between Yarrawonga areas, road reserves and railway corridors. In b) Cobram to Tocumwal (approximately 19km, and Benalla (via Tungamah), Katamatite and some sections, however, the preferred routes with a potential side loop to Koonoomoo). Shepparton (via Dookie), and Numurkah pass through private land. The long-term desirable outcome is a continuous and Picola (via Nathalia). Regional trails need to be supported by quality cycle and walking trail along the Murray River A number of other actions are also on-site and off-site information. This is required between the tourist areas of Rutherglen and recommended to improve opportunities to for strategic planning, asset management, Echuca, as well as the Murray to Mountains Rail establish regional cycling and walking trails in the promotion, and user choice and safety. Trail. This route also provides connections to the Shire and address current issues. These can be major attractions and visitor services in Moira found in Section 7. Shire. POTENTIAL REGIONAL CYCLING AND WALKING TRAILS IN MOIRA SHIRE 3 16/08/13 1. Introduction Methods Purpose of report Definitions Literature review The purpose of this report is to determine the In this report, a regional trail is a defined as: This report has been produced following the potential for cycling and walking trails in Moira review of the following documents: Shire that can enhance the visitor experience to ■ a terrestrial path, route or track that has ■ Moira Shire Cycling and Walking Strategy the Shire and provide additional activities for significance and/or connections beyond the (2005) local residents. Moira Shire and which is used by residents and visitors for non-motorised recreation. ■ Moira Shire Economic Development The project objectives are: This project focuses on trails to accommodate Strategy 2008-2013 ■ Undertake a comprehensive audit of the walking and cycling (including mountain biking), ■ Moira Shire Council Plan 2009-2013 existing and identified potential regional however these trails may also be used for other trails within the Moira Shire including those ■ Moira Shire Strategic Resource Plan 2008- recreation activities such as skating, dog walking, that intersect with other Shire boundaries 2018 or, where appropriate, equestrian activities. ■ Moira Shire Economic Profile 2013 ■ Provide comprehensive mapping of these People may also use them with mobility aids such trails as wheelchairs and motorised scooters. ■ 2011/12 Regional Tourism Profiles ■ Victorian Trail Strategy 2005-2010 ■ Classify existing and potential regional trails This report primarily considers off-road trails, throughout the Shire which are provided in a road verge or other ■ North East Victoria Tourism Board Industry ■ Prioritise potential trail tourism, economic public land. Footpaths and on-road bicycle routes Sector Plan – Cycle and social values may, however, be a consideration in providing ■ Cobram Strategy Plan (2007) ■ Consider the implications of regional trails regional walking and cycling trails where off-road ■ Yarrawonga Growth Management Strategy passing through private land trails are not feasible due to site constraints. (2008) ■ Provide indicative costs to develop trails ■ Yarrawonga to Bundalong Foreshore Master ■ Prepare a report that contains the above Plan (2008) information. ■ Yarrawonga Strategy (2004) The outcomes of this project will support any ■ Yarrawonga Urban Design Framework future regional trail