Council has welcomed today's $5 million election commitment from the federal Labor Party towards a proposed shared trail from Daylesford to Hanging Rock.
The Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development and Shadow Minister for Tourism, Anthony Albanese made the announcement in Ballarat on Thursday 9 May alongside the federal Member for Ballarat and Shadow Minister for Health and Medicare, Catherine King and Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters.
It is the first federal funding election commitment to the trail project, which will pass through a range of beautiful landscapes in Hepburn Shire and Macedon Ranges Shire and become a major tourism attraction for the region.
Council's Chief Executive Officer, Margot Stork said the funding commitment was a great outcome for the community.
"This is exciting, our first funding commitment for a trail which is a long-held shared vision with our partners Hepburn Shire," Ms Stork said.
"Improving health and wellbeing for our residents and visitors through projects such as shared trails is a core priority of Council.
"We now urge the federal Coalition government to match or exceed the funding for this very worthwhile project."
Council's Macedon Ranges Shared Trails Feasibility Studies project considered a number of opportunities for shared trails throughout the Macedon Ranges and onto Daylesford (Council's border at Tylden).
The studies outline shared trail route options for the two identified components: Daylesford to Hanging Rock and Woodend-New Gisborne-Macedon-Riddells Creek.
The draft Macedon Ranges Shared Trails Feasibility Studies went on exhibition earlier this year and Council is currently considering all feedback in order to finalise the final plans for the proposed projects.
For more information, see Macedon Ranges Shared Trails Feasibility Studies
