Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum announced $617,950 for the Yarrawonga-Burramine trail and $803,975 for the fodder system as part of the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program.
Mayor Libro Mustica said the trail was the first stage in the large Murray River Adventure Trail, designed to invite a whole new population, locals and visitors alike, to experience the Murray environs.
Cr Mustica said the project would expand tourism and employment opportunities for existing users and businesses as well as neighbouring townships through extending lengths of stay.
“I would like to thank Federal Government for this funding contribution and in particular Damian Drum for his continued support and advocacy for our region,” he said.
“While this first stage is a standalone project, it is part of an aspirational goal to link Yarrawonga and Cobram, a distance of approximately 40 km, with riverside cycling/walking tracks.”
The initial works will see 13.5 km of cycling/walking tracks constructed along the Murray Valley Hwy, heading west of Yarrawonga to Burramine, with existing road and trail networks within the Murray River Park to be highlighted and promoted.
The ‘Fodder for the Future’ project will develop ‘closed loop’ fodder production systems across the southern Basin and will encourage cross-sectorial collaboration.
The $803,975 in funding will flow to Cobram, Shepparton irrigation area, Kyabram-Tatura and Pyramid Hill-Boort.
Mr Drum said the projects would attract more tourists, build more businesses and create more jobs.
“Diversification is more than a buzz word when you look through the projects receiving funding in our region,” he said.
Funding for the new trail and fodder systems is part of the Federal Government's larger $2.86 million in funding for Nicholls electorate.
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