THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK
Feedback has now closed. Thank you to those community members who participated. We are currently reviewing the information and feedback received and will provide an update on the project in the coming weeks.
Overview
Council is excited to present to the community the detailed design for the Blue Gums to Eildon Recreational Trail Project, which is the first stage in a long-term plan to connect Alexandra, Thornton and Eildon via a shared trail. The Blue Gums to Eildon Recreational Trail Project will see the construction of a 2.6 km walking and cycling trail between the Eildon pondage and the Breeze Bluegums Riverside Holiday Park.
Council is currently seeking community input on some landscaping and seating elements before finalising the detailed design for the Project. If you’d like to provide your input, please refer to the ‘How to get involved’ section.
How to get involved
There are two easy ways for you to comment on this project
- Drop a pin on the Interactive Map 1 to indicate where you would like to see seating and facilities placed along the trail. If you prefer you can give us your ideas on the e-form
- Drop a pin on the Interactive Map 2 to indicate where you would like to see tree planting along the trail. If you prefer you can give us your ideas on the e-form
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Tree planting feedback
What's Next
Council will review community feedback and consider your suggestions for tree planting and seating locations. The tender process is closed and we hope to appoint a successful contractor by the end of April, 2022. If all goes to plan, we’re aiming to start construction of the Trail June/July and to complete the Project by November 2022.
About the project
The Blue Gums to Eildon Recreational Trail Project will see the construction of a 2.6 km walking and cycling trail between the Eildon Town Centre, the pondage, and the Breeze Bluegums Riverside Holiday Park.
The Holiday Park attracts around 2000 visitors during its
peak season and the Trail will provide safe, off-road access for day and
overnight visitors along the picturesque Back Eildon Road and Goulburn
River. The Trail will provide a direct link from the popular Park to
Eildon’s local shops, businesses and tourism operators and it will
encourage greater use of Eildon’s parks, playgrounds and facilities.
Further information
The
works will involve the construction of pavement and surfacing,
crossings to support access to private property, waterway
crossings/culverts, rest areas, barrier fences and will involve
landscaping and reinstatement works. We will need to remove six trees in
order to complete the Trail. These trees are not in great condition and
have been assessed by Council’s arborist as being suitable for removal. We will be planting
additional trees along the trail and encourage community members to have
their say on the planting locations. In the image below you can see the
locations of the trees that will be impacted.
Background
The Blue Gums to Eildon Recreational Trail is the first stage in a long-term plan to connect Eildon and Thornton to Alexandra and the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT).
Following extensive planning and community consultation in 2016, Council applied to Regional Development Victoria for funding under the Regional Tourism Investment Program for this first stage.
The great news is that we have been successful in receiving funding of $1.77 million to supplement Council’s $190,000 investment to deliver this exciting Project!
The construction of a trail linking the GVRT to Eildon has the potential to increase ‘year round’ tourism to the region and increase tourist expenditure and length of stay, which will help improve the financial viability of businesses in Eildon and surrounding areas. The attraction will result in increased employment in the region, including during the construction phase of the Project.