Tredwell Management | West Wimmera Recreational Trail Strategy – Volume 1: The Strategy November 2018 i | P a g e Acknowledgements The Project Control Group are thanked for their contributions into the development of this document: Sarah Ellis - Project Manager, West Wimmera Shire Council (WWSC) David Leahy - Chief Executive Officer, WWSC Ashley Roberts - Director Corporate and Community Services, WWSC Peter Rogers – Acting Director Infrastructure Development & Works, WWSC Heidi Gajic - Tourism & Communications Officer, WWSC Will Hughes - Technical Officer, WWSC Kelly Richards - Environmental Health Officer, WWSC David Gyford - Asset Systems & GIS Coordinator, WWSC Adrian Schmidt – Regulatory Services, WWSC Cr. Trevor Domaschenz – Councillor, WWSC Cr. Tom Houlihan - Councillor, WWSC Mark Fletcher - Project Officer, Wimmera Development Association Michelle Anderson - Manager SRV Grampians, Sport and Recreation Victoria Peak body representatives, government agencies, members of local community groups and community members also contributed to the development of this document and are thanked for their time and contributions. This Recreational Trails Strategy was supported by a Community Sports Infrastructure Fund grant from the Victorian Government. Disclaimer While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this report is complete, accurate and up to date, Tredwell Management Services make no warranty, representation or undertaking whether expressed or implied, nor do they assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect, or responsibility for any errors or omissions. For further information Tredwell Management Services T: (08) 82346387 E: [email protected] W: www.tredwell.com.au Tredwell Management | West Wimmera Recreational Trail Strategy – Volume 1: The Strategy November 2018 ii | P a g e Contents Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................... v 1. Background ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Strategy Format ................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 About West Wimmera Shire .............................................................................................. 3 1.3 Project Background and Scope ......................................................................................... 5 2. Strategic Context ...................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Strategic Document Review .............................................................................................. 7 2.2 Peak Trail Bodies ............................................................................................................ 10 3. Benefits of Trails ..................................................................................................................... 11 3.1 Benefits ........................................................................................................................... 12 3.2 Return on Investment in Trails ......................................................................................... 13 4. Demographic & Participation Trends ....................................................................................... 14 4.1 Demographic Profile ........................................................................................................ 15 4.2 Economic Profile ............................................................................................................. 17 4.3 Participation .................................................................................................................... 18 4.4 Trail User Groups ............................................................................................................ 19 5. Trail Planning & Governance .................................................................................................. 20 5.1 Trail Planning Guidelines and Principles.......................................................................... 21 5.2 Governance ..................................................................................................................... 22 6. Types of Trails ........................................................................................................................ 23 6.1 Victoria’s Trail Hierarchy .................................................................................................. 24 6.2 Trail Classification Systems ............................................................................................. 26 7. Existing Trails Audit ................................................................................................................. 30 7.1 Trail Audit Methodology ................................................................................................... 31 7.2 Existing Trail Provision Overview .................................................................................... 32 7.3 Current Trail Marketing and Promotion ............................................................................ 37 8. Activating Trails ....................................................................................................................... 38 8.1 Programs and Events ...................................................................................................... 39 8.2 Online Interactive Platforms............................................................................................. 40 8.3 Access for All .................................................................................................................. 41 9. Consultation ............................................................................................................................ 42 Tredwell Management | West Wimmera Recreational Trail Strategy – Volume 1: The Strategy November 2018 iii | P a g e Consultation Process .................................................................................................................. 43 9.1 Key Consultation Findings ............................................................................................... 44 10. Analysis of Trail Provision ....................................................................................................... 45 11. Future Trail Network ................................................................................................................ 48 11.1 Strategic Planning Pyramid ............................................................................................. 49 11.2 10 Year Trail Network Vision ........................................................................................... 50 11.3 Strategic Outcomes ......................................................................................................... 50 12. Strategy and Action Plan ......................................................................................................... 54 12.1 Project Assessment Criteria ............................................................................................ 55 12.2 Timeframes ..................................................................................................................... 55 12.3 Indicative Cost Estimates ................................................................................................ 56 12.4 Partners........................................................................................................................... 56 Strategic Outcome A: Integrated Planning & Management ......................................................... 57 Strategic Outcome B: Sustainable & Accessible Trail Network .................................................... 59 Strategic Outcome C: Participation, Promotion and Marketing .................................................... 71 Strategic Outcome D: Development, Management & Maintenance ............................................. 75 Strategic Outcome E: Community, Tourism and Economic Development Opportunities ............. 76 13. Priority Projects ....................................................................................................................... 78 14. Potential Funding Opportunities .............................................................................................. 83 15. Project Benchmarks ................................................................................................................ 86 References ..................................................................................................................................... 91 Tables and Figures ..................................................................................................................... 92 Reference List ............................................................................................................................. 93 Tredwell Management | West Wimmera Recreational Trail Strategy – Volume 1: The Strategy November 2018 iv | P a g e Executive Summary Background social infrastructure, facilitators of healthy lifestyles, important nature-tourism attractions West Wimmera Shire (the Shire) is located in and a way to provide access to natural and the western most part of Victoria, halfway cultural heritage. between Melbourne and Adelaide. The geographic landscapes