Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland

Great Southern Rail Trail extension between Leongatha and Nyora October 2021 update

Project that will help enhance the accessibility and economic growth of the region.

By news@gippsland - 20th October 2021 - Back to News

The Great Southern Rail Trail will form part of a proposed iconic Great Gippsland Trail. The creation of the proposed multipurpose trail would contain elements of many existing trails marketed as the Great Gippsland Trail. The concept of the trail sets a vision for connection between Gippsland's main towns and experiences with bike friendly trail options.

The Great Southern Rail Trail Projects will improve the accessibility that will also enhance tourism opportunities in South Gippsland

Improving accessibility

Council is working with Cardinia Shire Council and City of Casey to extend the trail at its western end with a 76 km extension that will link Leongatha and Clyde. This will greatly improve accessibility to the trial as Clyde is on the edge of Melbourne's outer southern growth corridor. The proposal also includes the establishment of a 21 kilometre spur line linking Nyora to Woolamai located in Bass Coast Shire Council.

The vision is to develop an unbroken rail trail of 168 kilometres connecting Melbourne's outer south-eastern suburbs to the regional township of Yarram in Wellington Shire Council, becoming Australia's longest rail trail.

Enhancing economic and community benefits

The Great Southern Rail Trail Projects include the:

• Leongatha to Korumburra link
• Korumburra to Nyora extension and beyond
• Welshpool to Alberton link

Since the complete closure of the rail line between Dandenong and Port Albert in 1994 various sections have been developed into a rail trail. At present the Great Southern Rail Trail stretches 71 kilometres from Leongatha to Port Welshpool. The trail is an important contributor to the local and regional economy, attracting a large number of tourists.

Funding Secured

The following funding has been secured through the State Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund:

• Leongatha to Korumburra - $500,000
• Korumburra to Nyora - $800,000

The Great Southern Rail Trail project will begin in four months.

Find information about the Great Southern Rail Trail extension between Leongatha and Nyora, please visit the Great Southern Rail Trail Projects.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• 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.
• Southern Rural Water manages Gippsland storages during rainfall, balancing flood risks, water supplies and community safety
  Southern Rural Water managed Gippsland water storages during significant weekend rainfall, using controlled releases to create capacity, reduce flood risks and protect community safety and water supplies.
• Wellington Shire Council backs campaign seeking greater rural investment, improved roads, infrastructure funding and regional economic growth
  Wellington Shire Council is backing Rural Councils Victoria’s campaign for greater investment in rural infrastructure, including roads, community facilities and a proposed $1 billion regional productivity and growth fund.
• 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.
• The Nationals slam Labor's secret public transport tax funding costly suburban rail loop as regional Victorians bear the burden
  The Nationals accuse Victoria's Labor government of secretly taxing public transport users $8 billion to fund the Suburban Rail Loop, while regional communities receive disproportionately less infrastructure funding.
• New Bairnsdale footpath to improve access between Princes Highway and key health and community facilities
  A new 280-metre concrete footpath will link Bairnsdale’s Princes Highway with key health and community facilities, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians, with construction beginning September 21 and lasting six weeks.
• Latrobe Valley commuters will receive longer trains and more seats under a Nationals-Liberals plan to increase regional rail capacity and reduce crowding
  The Nationals and Liberals plan to allocate five additional V’Locity sets to Traralgon and Bairnsdale, delivering 1,100 extra seats and reducing regional rail crowding.
• 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 urges community advocacy for major projects ahead of Victorian state election
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging residents to support advocacy for the Rokeby to Noojee Trail Extension and urgent Warragul-Drouin intersection upgrades ahead of the Victorian state election.
• Latrobe City Business Festival returns with free October events connecting businesses, employers, job seekers and industry partners
  Latrobe City’s 2026 Business Festival runs October 14–23, offering free jobs expos, workshops, networking, professional development and business events connecting employers, workers, students and industry.