A significant announcement today from Benalla MP Bill Sykes as part of the fire recovery efforts in north east Victoria.
Amongst a number of initiatives, the funding is part of a sustained program intended to draw visitors to the region and increase business and employment opportunities.
"For that reason we have allocated the majority of funds to local infrastructure projects including $1 million to upgrade rail trails between Harrietville and Bright..."
Tour de Vines will keep a close watch on how this develops as it may offer an enticing extension to the Tour de Murray to Mountains Rail Trail which currently ends in Bright.
The new extension would add a possible extra 25kms to the existing Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. The rail trail has the following distances:
- Wangaratta to Beechworth: 43kms
- Beechworth to Myrtleford: 43kms
- Myrtleford to Bright: 32kms
- Proposed Bright to Harrietville: 25kms
Making a total of 143kms of sealed, off road cycling trail, ideal for multi day cycling tours.
There are also additional side trips including to Milawa from Wangaratta or Beechworth (35kms) and to Wandiligong from Bright (12kms), making a possible total length of over 175kms.