PRESENTING: Dandenong Ranges Tourism Board manager Michael Axel (left), Lyster Ward By SHAUN INGUANZO
A WALKING and riding trail following the Puffing Billy railway line has received a $50,000 funding windfall from State and local governments.
The Puffing Billy Rail Trail will stretch from Belgrave to Emerald and allow for riders, walkers, and even skaters to follow alongside one of the region’s most prominent tourist attractions.
Monbulk MP James Merlino and Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato announced last week that the State Government would contribute $20,000 to a feasibility study to determine the characteristics of the track.
Shire of Yarra Ranges Lyster Ward councillor Rob Hale said the council would contribute $30,000 to the study.
Dandenong Ranges Tourism Board manager Michael Axel was delighted by the news and heralded the study as a big step forward for the Rail Trail.
“We have been working on this over the past 12 to 18 months,” he said.
“The study itself will be a huge undertaking.”
Mr Axel said he predicted a feasibility study could take up to six months to complete with an intense consultation process.
“There is an awful lot of work to be done with Puffing Billy and (abutting) property owners.”
Mr Axel said St Kilda’s Esplanade trail would provide some inspiration for the practical use of the track.
He said the trail would provide a boost to the Dandenong Ranges tourism economy as it would cater for a diverse range of people from families to single people and a host of humanpowered transport such as bikes, inline skates, skateboards, and prams.
Mr Axel said the track could be up to eight foot wide and would preferably have a bitumen surface.
