Coorong District Council, South Australia, will begin construction on another 32 kilometres of the Murray Coorong Trail using $110,000 granted by the State Government to help increase walking and cycling access along the region’s unique waterways.
Once complete, the major walking and cycling trail will span 450 km from Salt Creek in the south, to Cadell in the north – and is set to become one of Australia’s iconic nature-based tourism assets.
Council will contribute a further $40,000 to this section, making it a $150,000 project in 2018/19, ensuring it can be completed by October 2020.
This next stage will see the trail follow the water’s edge as close as possible, while also taking into consideration a range of environmental, cultural and heritage items.
Coorong District Council’s Director Community and Corporate, Nat Traeger said, “This is an exciting project for our district, and in fact for the whole region.
“Once completed, we expect to see thousands of people using it each year.”
The Murray Coorong Trail is a collaborative project between the Coorong District Council, Rural City of Murray Bridge and Mid Murray Council, with support from the Department for Environment and Water and the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong Tourism Alliance.
This grant forms part of an overall $168,500 funding package from the office of Recreation and Sport – Community Recreation Sport Facilities Program for the Murray Coorong Trail.
The remaining $58,500 will support the Rural City of Murray Bridge’s next stage of trail works between Jervois and Wellington.
“There’s so much to see and do in the Coorong, and this trail will help to bring more nature-based recreation lovers to our district, and subsequently have a positive impact on local businesses.
“Local people will also be able to get out and use the trail at any time, providing another significant wellbeing asset for our community.”
