Significant Trail Projects Prioritised for Funding
Published on 10 August 2023
Snowy Valleys Council has prioritised three significant projects identified in the Snowy Valleys Regional Tracks and Trails Masterplan to ensure a clear plan is in place should suitable funding become available.
The Snowy Valleys Regional Tracks and Trails Masterplan is an aspirational plan – a vision of what the region’s tracks and trails network could look like in the long term, boosting tourism and local recreation opportunities.
As part of the plan, five priority new development projects were fleshed out including trail concept plans and a business case, and Councillors have now acknowledged the three which they will prioritise if suitable funding becomes available.
“Rather than rush off with a multiplicity of exercises we tried to focus on the ones we think are achievable, something we can do within a reasonable budget, and all of these are dependent on grant funding,” said Mayor Ian Chaffey.
“It’s all about growing our whole local government area, what we can do to make it a better experience for people to come and visit across the whole of our region.”
The three projects are:
The Tumut River Walk Project - an opportunity to elevate the Tumut River Walk by upgrading the road portion of Elm Dr to incorporate an off-road alignment that improves pedestrian safety and allows for spectacular views of the Tumut River. Interpretation signage will also help to create a narrative that acts to generate a positive experience for trail users.
The Batlow to Tumut Rail Trail - Stage 1: Batlow to Wybalena - provide an 8km return trail with a gentle gradient that is dedicated off-road and safe.
The Gudja Gudja Mura Trail – The Ngarigo Toomaroombah Kunama Namadgi Indigenous Corporation (TKNIC) developed a proposal for a recreation trail (walk/cycle) from Murray’s Crossing to the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail utilising a Travelling Stock Route.
The three trails are estimated to bring a boost to the region’s tourism of between $2.5M to $5.8M as well as increasing local user enjoyment and education.
The Track and Trails Masterplan also includes an inventory of the existing tracks and trails across the region and identifies a range of short, medium, and long-term actions that can be undertaken to enhance, complement, diversify, and promote them.
Council staff are working to identify and scope those that can be embedded into operational work.
Detailed specifications for the delivery of any project will be reviewed and confirmed prior to any funding application.
The Snowy Valleys Regional Tracks and Trails Masterplan is on council’s website at www.svc.nsw.gov.au/plans-and-strategies
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