A successful funding bid of $205,000 from the South Australian Government’s Open Space and Places for People grant program, will fast-track the construction of the Murray Coorong Trail.
Partners Mid Murray Council, Rural City of Murray Bridge and Coorong District Council, will also invest a combined $205,000, and an additional $22,000 of in-kind expertise to turn the ambitious project into reality.
Once fully developed, the combined walking and bike riding trail stretching over 450km from Cadell in the Mid Murray, to Salt Creek in the Coorong National Park, is expected to become a major drawcard with flow-on benefits for local business, the environment, recreation and community connection and wellbeing.
The councils have also secured over $1.5 million in funding and contributed their own funds in recent years to construct 25km of the trail, with sections already being used in each of the three districts.
Mid Murray Mayor Dave Burgess said, “This new grant will allow us to fast-track the detailed design of the entire trail – spanning over 450km – and continue construction to bring this concept to life in a way that is well-designed and sustainable.
“This, in turn, will bring substantial benefits to our local communities and the State.”
Rural City of Murray Bridge Mayor, Brenton Lewis, said, “This trail capitalises on, and complements, our region’s existing environmental assets including the Murray River, our untouched wilderness in our national (and conservation) parks, the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve and the unique beauty of the Coorong.”
Coorong District Council Mayor, Paul Simmons said the new sections of trail would boost the region’s emerging status as one of South Australia’s leading nature-based tourism icons.
“Now more than ever we need to support our region’s community wellbeing and tourism economy, and this project will be a key part of that.”
A specialist trail designer will be engaged to create the detailed plan, which will include extensive planning in the areas of sustainability principles and designs, trail mapping, construction methods and long-term trail management.
