WALLAN TO HEATHCOTE RAIL TRAIL

SUMMARY DOCUMENT – DECEMBER 2017

OVERVIEW
The Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail (WHRT) is a proposed 78km shared pathway (walking,
cycling, horse riding) which would run from Wallan in the south of Mitchell Shire to Heathcote
in the City of Greater Bendigo. The trail would closely follow the former (dismantled) rail
corridor between Heathcote Junction and Heathcote. The proposed trail would also include
two additional spurs, the first links Wallan Station via Hidden Valley, while the second would
link with Wandong.
The WHRT Feasibility Study has identified the former rail alignment between Heathcote
Junction and Heathcote as forming the main trunk of the proposed route for the rail trail,
complete with two additional spurs, or links: (i) southward via Hidden Valley to Wallan
Station and (ii) from just west of Heathcote Junction and the Hume Freeway north to
Wandong.
As part of identifying the route and testing its feasibility, the study has examined the regional
context, engineering and construction cost considerations, as well as the potential for
ecological, cultural and heritage impacts and benefits. The study also involved an extensive
stakeholder consultation and engagement process from 9 February 2017 to 13 April 2017 to
take account of the views of the general community, key stakeholder groups, and in
particular, existing and potentially directly affected landowners.

Should Mitchell Shire Council vote to endorse development of the Wallan to Heathcote Rail
Trail, we commit to the following:

- Mitchell Shire Council will not compulsorily acquire land

- Mitchell Shire Council will not fund construction of the possible Wallan to
Heathcote Rail Trail. Funding to construct the possible trail would be sought
via State and Federal avenues.

- There will be no direct impact on Mitchell Shire rates regarding construction or

maintenance of the trail

- A full biosecurity risk assessment would be undertaken as part of further

investigations

- Private landholders that are directly impacted by the possible route will be
consulted to develop an alternate route, around or away from their land, if they
do not consent to access.
 WALLAN TO HEATHCOTE RAIL TRAIL
SUMMARY DOCUMENT – DECEMBER 2017

PROPOSED ROUTE – WALLAN TO HEATHCOTE RAIL TRAIL

PARTNERSHIP AND FUNDING

 WALLAN TO HEATHCOTE RAIL TRAIL
SUMMARY DOCUMENT – DECEMBER 2017

REGIONAL CONTEXT
The rail trail network in Victoria is extensive with 39 trails stretching across 1,045 kilometres.
The Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail has been described as the “missing spine” (see Figure 3),
from which future trails could be developed and connected to existing trails (i.e. the Great
Victorian Rail Trail). This would potentially mean that the Shire of Mitchell could become the
heart of an extensive cross-Victorian network of cycle trails.
Development of the WHRT would facilitate an immediate linkage with the O’Keefe Rail Trail
which extends 49km from Heathcote to Bendigo. The Heathcote region, which includes
Tooborac is a steadily growing tourist region in Central Victoria, for its food and wine offerings.
If the WHRT is developed, there would be possibility over time to link with other major trails
and paths including the Great Victorian Rail Trail (‘GVRT’ from Tallarook to Mansfield) and the
Merri Creek Trail, which runs all the way into inner Melbourne. A connection to the GVRT
would provide a continuous link to the foothills of the High Country, while the link to the Merri
Creek at Wallan would enable a continuous cycle and footpath link from Melbourne all the way
to Bendigo via the O’Keefe Rail Trail.
The WHRT has clear potential to become a significant piece of tourism and recreation
infrastructure for Mitchell Shire and Central Victoria.

VICTORIAN RAIL TRAIL NETWORK

Possible Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail (green)
 WALLAN TO HEATHCOTE RAIL TRAIL
SUMMARY DOCUMENT – DECEMBER 2017

THE FEASIBILITY STUDY

The Feasibility Study and stakeholder consultation was primarily funded by Regional
Development Victoria, with Mitchell Shire and the City of Greater Bendigo contributing
additional amounts respectively. Mitchell Shire held responsibility for sponsoring and delivery
of the project on behalf of all three funding organisations. A steering committee was formed
to oversee the project consisting of Councillors (Mitchell Shire), Department of Land Water
and Planning (DELWP), City of Greater Bendigo representatives, local cycling groups:
Mitchell Bicycle Users Group (MBUG) and Friends of the Bendigo to Kilmore Rail Trail
(FBKRT).

OVERVIEW OF FINDINGS
Overall, the Feasibility Study found that the WHRT is feasible to develop from a technical
perspective.
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SUMMARY DOCUMENT – DECEMBER 2017

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - SUMMARY

Targeted and general community consultation primarily took place between 9 February 2017
to 13 April 2017. To determine the level of demand for a new rail trail and any potential issues
and opportunities the WHRT consultation engaged three main groups (general community,
key stakeholders and private landowners). The table below is a summary of what we heard.
Consultation task Number of Estimated level Estimated level Not known
participants of support of opposition
Community surveys 303 263 (87%) 40 (13%) 0
Listening posts 233 191 (82%) 16 (7%) 26 (11%)

Meetings with 54 3 27 24
directly impacted (6% of total number of (50% of total number i.e. 7 (19%) not
participants; or 8% of of participants; or 73% sure, and 17 not
land owners
total number of private of total number of able to be contacted
landowners private landowners (31% of all private
interviewed) interviewed) landowners)
Meetings with 6 3 (50%) 3 (50%) 0
adjacent land owners
(upon request)
Meetings with key 34 34 (100%) 0 0
stakeholders
Written submissions 52 35 (67%) 17 (33%) 0

TOTAL 682 529 (78%) 103 (15%) 50 (7%)

Consultation found that strong community and key stakeholder support exists for the trail, but
that there is significant private landholder concern and in many cases opposition to the rail
trail traversing private land. Given the strong objection raised to the trail going across their
properties by the majority of landowners, access to the 45% of the route which is located on
private land is generally challenging.
Approximately 55% of the route is in public ownership, meaning that it will generally be
possible to develop the trail in these sections. These sections lend themselves to development
more readily in the short to medium-term (Possible Phase 1) particularly in areas of higher
tourist visitation (Tooborac to Heathcote), and in and around towns experiencing significant
growth (Wallan and Kilmore).
Development of the rail trail in Wallan and Kilmore is strategically supported through the
Wallan and Kilmore structure plans which already provide for pedestrian and cycle networks,
including sections of the proposed trail route.
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SUMMARY DOCUMENT – DECEMBER 2017

POSSIBLE PHASE 1
WALLAN TO HEATHCOTE RAIL TRAIL

The Feasibility Study has identified sections of the route for further investigation as a potential
first phase, where access to land is generally more feasible for implementation in the shorter
term.
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SUMMARY DOCUMENT – DECEMBER 2017

CONCLUSION

The outcome of the Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail Feasibility Study indicates that the proposed
trail is feasible from a technical perspective and is a unique strategic opportunity for the Shire.

The study shows that the Rail Trail would be a worthwhile investment in promoting an active
and healthier community, and supporting a stronger tourism offering and a further diversified
economy.

The Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail is strongly aligned with key State government and local
policies, and has been demonstrated through community consultation to be strongly supported
by the community and key stakeholder groups.

The Feasibility Study has identified strong objection among landowners in relation to access
to private land, which comprises 45% of the route.

If Mitchell Shire Council votes to endorse development of the route either in part, or whole,
compulsory acquisition of land will not be pursued.

The Feasibility Study has identified sections of the route for further investigation as a potential
first phase, where access to land is generally more feasible for implementation in the shorter
term.

Comment on the draft Study from landowners, Government, industry and community will be
reviewed prior to Council considering the report in March 2018.