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Rokeby to Neerim Trail gets $4M funding upgrade from Victorian government Regional Tourism Investment Fund

The popular Rokeby to Neerim Trail is set for a $4 million upgrade thanks to funding secured by Baw Baw Shire Council through the Victorian government's Regional Tourism Investment Fund (RTIF).

By news@gippsland - 6th October 2022 - Back to News

The RTIF helps fund delivery of high value tourism projects in regional Victoria that activate and revive tourism assets that have a significant impact on the visitor economy. In addition to the $3 million secured through RTIF, council has allocated $1 million towards the project as part of its 2022/23 Capital Works Program.

Council is seeking to improve and extend the existing Rokeby to Neerim trail to create a link to some of Baw Baw's key historic tourism destinations

Works included in the project

The scope of works included within Stage one of the project are:

• Upgrades to the existing section of the trail between Rokeby and Crossover
• Upgrades to the existing roadside trails and connecting missing links from Crossover to the Apex lookout in Neerim
• Detailed designs and preconstruction work for the extension of the trail to Noojee

The upgrades aim to create a high-quality shared trail that provides excellent user experience, a safe and accessible trail, better connections between communities and more opportunities to engage with local natural vistas and historic sites.

Extending the trail

Following completion of the first stage of works, construction works will be undertaken to extend the trail to the north to create a link to key historic tourism destinations including the Noojee Trestle Bridge, the tallest remaining wooden railway bridge in Victoria, as well as the historic township of Noojee.

These works are subject to additional funding which will be pursued in due course. For more project details including an interactive clickable map of the trail, go to Rokeby to Noojee Trail.

Improve the user experience

Mayor Cr Michael Leaney said, "It's great to see one of our top four advocacy priority projects receive funding to bring this much-loved local trail to its full potential."

"We thank Regional Development Victoria for their investment in Baw Baw and seeing what we already know - that this is a beautiful place to live and visit."

"With greatly improved facilities such as our beloved Rokeby trail, we will draw more people to our towns and improve the user experience for both visitors and locals." Cr Leaney said.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Baw Baw Shire Council seeks community feedback on first draft Events Strategy for future events from 27 August to 16 September 2026
  Baw Baw Shire is inviting residents, event organisers and local businesses to comment on its first draft Events Strategy, open on Baw Baw Connect from August 27 to September 16, helping shape future event planning across the Shire.
• Wellington Shire Council secures $2M for road safety improvements across five Gippsland towns before mid-2027
  Wellington Shire Council has secured $2 million for road safety upgrades across Maffra, Stratford, Sale, Wurruk and Heyfield, with works beginning before Christmas and completion expected by mid-2027.
• Baw Baw Shire Council keeps fortnightly red bins, weekly FOGO collections despite petition calling for weekly rubbish service
  Baw Baw Council will retain fortnightly red-bin and weekly FOGO collections despite a 6,139-signature petition seeking weekly rubbish services, citing $173,000 annual costs and reduced landfill waste.
• Gippsland commuters stranded after V/Line services end early, prompting calls for reliable regional rail services
  Melina Bath criticised Gippsland rail disruptions after AFL fans were stranded following an early service cutoff, calling for reliable regional transport and promising 1,110 additional seats on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services.
• Baw Baw Shire Council to consider cost of returning to weekly red-bin collections
  Baw Baw Council will investigate the costs and implications of restoring weekly red-bin collections after a 6,139-signature petition highlighted strong community concern over the FOGO changes.
• Baw Baw Shire Council launches the return of Gippy Girls Can in September with something for every woman
  Gippy Girls Can returns across Baw Baw in September, offering women and girls welcoming, beginner-friendly and affordable opportunities to try new activities, get active and connect.
• Nationals and Liberals pledge 10 new technical colleges, delivering hands-on training for 5,000 Victorian students
  The Nationals and Liberals plan 10 new Technical Colleges across Victoria, providing 5,000 secondary students with hands-on vocational training and pathways into in-demand careers, including a new college in Gippsland.
• Gippsland Water invests $3.4M renewing ageing water and sewer infrastructure across regional communities
  Gippsland Water invested $3.4 million renewing ageing water and sewer assets, replacing 3.9 kilometres of water mains and relining 6.2 kilometres of sewer mains across Gippsland.
• Baw Baw Shire endorses revised Community Engagement Policy to strengthen participation and build trust in council decisions
  Baw Baw Shire councillors have unanimously endorsed a revised Community Engagement Policy, aiming to strengthen community participation, ensure meaningful feedback and build greater trust in Council’s decision-making processes.
• Baw Baw Shire expands environmental rebate to encourage reusable products, cut waste and boost community sustainability
  Baw Baw Shire Council has expanded its environmental rebate into three categories, helping residents buy reusable products, reduce landfill waste, improve recycling, and support more sustainable households through partial purchase rebates.
• Baw Baw Council awards $137,000 in community grants to 35 local groups supporting events, programs, equipment and community projects across the shire
  Baw Baw Shire Council has conditionally awarded more than $137,000 to 35 community groups through its first 2026/27 grants round, supporting local events, projects, equipment and initiatives across the Shire.
• Melina Bath accused Labor of ignoring bird flu advice and delaying vaccinations for Victoria's vulnerable little penguin colonies
  The Victorian government is accused of ignoring expert advice to proactively vaccinate little penguins against H5N1, delaying action until after infection was detected, potentially leaving colonies vulnerable.
• Martin Cameron slams fresh Bank Street traffic light delays as environmental studies push project back again
  The Nationals have criticised the Victorian government after environmental studies and cultural heritage approvals were blamed for fresh delays to long-promised traffic lights at Traralgon Bank Street intersection, despite years of funding.