General News
27 June, 2026
Council overrides rail trail funding advice
NORTHERN Grampians Shire Council has unanimously backed a long-term funding commitment for the Grampians Rail Trail extension despite advice against the proposal from council officers. Councillors voted at Tuesday’s meeting to provide a letter of support for the Friends of Grampians Rail Trail’s grant application and commit to underwriting maintenance costs of the completed trail by up to $20,000 a year from June 2028.
The Friends of Grampians Rail Trail have argued the commitment is needed to strengthen a grant application seeking funding to extend the trail towards Halls Gap.
Senior Public Space Planner Tony Dark recommended against the underwriting commitment, arguing it would create an indefinite financial obligation and potentially set a precedent for other community groups seeking similar guarantees.
Mr Dark’s report said the proposal could reduce council’s future budget flexibility and leave the organisation carrying ongoing financial, reputational and asset management risks if the community-led maintenance model proved unsustainable.
Despite that advice, councillors unanimously adopted an alternative option that officers had specifically marked as “not recommended”.
Councillor Jenny Greenberger, who moved the successful motion, said the trail extension aligned with council’s strategic plans and enjoyed strong community backing.
“The economic and tourism benefit from having the rail trail extended to Halls Gap is enormous,” she said.
Councillor Greenberger said the Friends of Grampians Rail Trail committee had experienced a resurgence in support during the past year, attracting new members, securing backing from a range of organisations and community groups, and demonstrating its ability to attract external funding.
She said the current rail trail was estimated to contribute about $2.4 million annually to the local economy and believed that figure would increase if the trail reached Halls Gap.
Councillor Karen Probst said the proposal had required careful consideration but believed council should support volunteers working to deliver projects that benefited the wider community.
She said the value of the trail extended beyond tourism and economic outcomes.
“Sometimes we focus a lot on money, but not on the social and community benefit as well, which can’t always be measured in dollar amounts,” she said.
Councillor Probst said the trail would encourage physical activity, social connection and family participation while creating an important recreational asset for residents and visitors.
Councillor Jack Blake said the decision demonstrated council’s willingness to listen to community priorities.
“We do listen to our community,” he said.
“When they do start highlighting what they would like being done, this was one of them projects.”
The Friends of Grampians Rail Trail recently told the Stawell Times-News they believed a long-term maintenance commitment was needed to strengthen future grant applications and demonstrate the completed trail would be maintained into the future.
The group is seeking funding through the Western Renewables Link Local Grants Fund to help complete the long-planned extension between Stawell and Halls Gap.
If completed, supporters believe the project would create one of Victoria’s most distinctive rail trails, linking Stawell with the Grampians National Park through wetlands, conservation areas and native bushland.