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

1. 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
   
   
2. 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
   

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.

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.

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.