When the Rural City of Wangaratta, the Alpine Shire and the Indigo Shire collaborated to develop the award winning ‘Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail’, they never expected that their project would receive national recognition.
With a firm commitment to the health of their communities, the three collaborators have taken an historic, but under utilised, resource and developed a multi use recreational facility that spans 93 kilometres.
Originally a railway line in the 1870s, the rail bed has been converted into a bitumen trail that is fully accessible to cyclists, walkers and wheelchairs all year round.
Future developments will see areas set aside for equestrian use and more amenities en route.
The ‘Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail’ is the largest single recreational and tourism infrastructure development ever undertaken by the municipalities of Wangaratta, Alpine and Indigo.
National recognition by the prestigious Heart Foundation Kellogg Local Government Awards has rewarded regional vision and commitment in the development of these high quality facilities.
The ‘Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail’ was announced as the ‘National Best Overall Project’ at the 2000 General Assembly of Local Government and received a $9,000 award and perpetual trophy.
The 2001 Heart Foundation Kellogg Local Government Awards are now underway.
If your Local Government organisation is working on projects that relate to recreation, physical activity, healthy nutrition, tobacco control and related policy change then consider this opportunity to gain reward and recognition for the work you have been doing.
Show your constituency you have a heart.
Talk to your local Coordinator about projects that you would like to enter into the Heart Foundation Kellogg Local Government Awards. Contact Heartline on 1300 362 787 or visit www.heartfoundation.com.au
