Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › East Gippsland Local News

First stage of Omeo Mountain Bike Trail that will put alpine towns on the map to be completed by December 2023

Work is set to begin on a network of trails that will turn Omeo into a mecca for mountain bikers.

By news@gippsland - 8th April 2022 - Back to News

The Omeo Mountain Bike Trails will put the Alpine town on the map as a year-round active tourism destination and capture nationwide demand for outdoor adventure. Mayor Cr Mark Reeves said the Omeo Mountain Bike Trails will create an eco-friendly tourism drawcard for the town. "It will see more people discover the unspoilt beauty of Omeo and the High Country and provide a boost for local businesses and jobs."

The Omeo mountain bike trails will meet Mountain Bike Australia criteria for national events with event plans underway for when Stage 1 is completed

Opportunity for cycling tourism

Cr Reeves said, "The local community has embraced the project and look forward to introducing visitors to the spectacular landscapes that surround their town. This is a major project for not only Omeo, but East Gippsland and Victoria. It puts us in the conversation of national and world-class mountain biking."

"This will create opportunities for cycling tourism, economic diversity and growth in the high country, and major events. The investment by all three tiers of government, and the push of the community will make this a success and the benefits will flow accordingly." Cr Reeves said.

Work on Stage 1 will begin late this month, with contractor Common Ground Trails, who built the Pump and Skills Track in Livingstone Park, using a workforce of current staff and locals for the build. It is expected the first trail will be available for riding by December this year, with Stage 1 completed by December 2023.

Stage one work inclusions

The first stage will include:

• 56 kilometres of cross-country and downhill gravity trails
• Switchback climbs for over 500m up nearby Mt Mesley
• An easy loop trail parallel to the Great Alpine Road that leads to the Historical Oriental Claims area
• A descending trail of over 500 vertical metres from the summit of Mt Sam linking to Mt Mesley and finishing in Livingstone Park

In April 2021, East Gippsland Shire Council resolved to award the contract for the Omeo Mountain Bike Trail Construction to Common Ground Trails Pty Ltd for Stage 1 - 56.3km of trails.

However, in the time between contract consideration by council (16 March 2021) and council's ability to finalise the contract (due to a VCAT hearing in November and determination in December 2021),the construction environment has changed considerably.

Addressing delays

The project has also incurred additional costs associated with native vegetation management and legal and associated costs relating to the VCAT hearing. Significantly, this includes mandated changes to a parcel of Crown land being used to meet native vegetation offset requirements, and a requirement to pay for these new costs upfront, rather than in annualised instalments.

At this week's council meeting (5 April 2022), council supported a budget variation to address the above. Cr Reeves said cost escalations on projects in the current environment are not lost on council. "Delays and price escalations were not of council's making. The significance and benefit of this project means we are committed to seeing it completed," Cr Reeves said.

Project made possible

This project has been funded by council, the Victorian government's Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund, and the federal government's Building Better Regions Fund and more recently the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund.

The project has been made possible through the strong collaborative efforts of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Parks Victoria and a dedicated group of community supporters working with council.

Pictures from East Gippsland Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Draft Omeo District Place Plan released for after 10 months of consultation for final community feedback until 2 October 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council has released the draft Omeo District Place Plan for feedback, prioritising health, education, housing, employment, social connection, environmental care and emergency preparedness. Submissions close October 2.
• Moe’s first women’s cricket team makes history as $11M Ted Summerton Reserve upgrade boosts regional sport and accessibility
  Moe’s Ted Summerton Reserve has received an $11 million upgrade, delivering improved sporting facilities, accessibility and female-friendly change rooms ahead of the town’s first women’s cricket match. The project supported 370 jobs.
• 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.
• West Gippsland community invited to document local biodiversity during first-ever month-long West Gippy Bio-Blitz citizen science projects
  West Gippsland CMA is inviting residents to join its first Bio-Blitz throughout October, documenting local plants and wildlife through iNaturalist to build a snapshot of the region’s biodiversity.
• RMIT architecture students unveil 12 community-informed design proposals exploring the future of Omeo Justice Precinct at upcoming exhibition
  RMIT architecture students will exhibit 12 community-informed proposals for Omeo Justice Precinct from November 6, exploring heritage preservation, gathering spaces and tourism through a research partnership with Council and residents.
• Gippsland Landcare champions win Victorian awards for environmental conservation, First Nations collaboration and sustainable agriculture achievements
  Two Gippsland Landcare champions have won 2026 Victorian Landcare Awards, with Moogji Aboriginal Council and Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves recognised for environmental stewardship, collaboration and sustainable agriculture.
• Become a Great Southern rail trail passport collection point with other updates from the South Gippsland Shire Council
  South Gippsland Council seeks Rail Trail Passport collection points, announces a youth bravery award, Toora roadworks, grants, community events, transport updates, tenders, services and opportunities.
• Put your phone down and connect through art at Cowes’ new Analog Art Club starting 1st of December 2026
  Analog Art Club launches at Berninneit Art Gallery, Cowes, on 1 December, offering free monthly phone-free mornings with art, creative workshops and conversations led by artists and curators. Registration is essential.
• Coastal erosion forces indefinite closure of Kilcunda Rail Trail section for safety from 26 August 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council will close a Kilcunda Rail Trail section indefinitely from August 26 after severe erosion washed away two metres of dune, threatening trail safety.
• East Gippsland launches disability network to strengthen community input on council projects, services and decisions
  East Gippsland Shire Council has launched the Disability Network, inviting people with disability, carers and organisations to help shape council decisions through accessible online and in-person community engagement.
• Traralgon Tyers interconnect begins, strengthening water supply reliability and resilience across four Gippsland towns for future regional growth
  Gippsland Water has begun construction on a 4.5-kilometre pipeline linking four towns to Traralgon’s water network, improving reliability, resilience, efficiency and capacity for future regional growth.
• Baw Baw Shire Council seeks community feedback on proposed planning amendment updating flood maps across several towns by 29 January 2027
  Baw Baw Shire Council is seeking submissions on proposed flood mapping updates affecting 1,438 additional properties, with changes covering Warragul, Yarragon, Trafalgar and surrounding communities. Submissions close January 29, 2027.