Work on the Omeo Mountain Bike Trails Project hasshifted into top gear with East Gippsland Shire Council hailing a major fundingannouncement that guarantees the trails will get built and will transform the alpine town into aninternational mountain bike destination.
At a sod-turning event to mark the official start ofthe 56km Stage 1 of the project last Friday, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green also announced $3.2 million in funding to deliver theoff-road cycling project's second and final stage.
Mayor Cr Mark Reeves applauded the announcement and noted the greatcooperation between shire, state and federal governments in funding theproject. He also announced an additional $1.06m from Council.
"Together, that's a total funding package of $9.72m, which is a terrificoutcome. Three levels of government have cooperated, coordinating our resourcesto have a really positive collective impact here in Omeo," Cr Reeves said.
Stage 2 works will create an additional 65km of bike trails, creating approximately120km of connected tracks that will meet Mountain Bike Australia criteria fornational events and include cross-country and downhill tracks for beginnersthrough to experienced cyclists.
"In the next couple of years, this area will be abuzz. People will comefrom across the world to ride here on one of the best mountain bike tracks tobe built in Australia and to take in the region," Cr Reeves said.
The Omeo Mountain Bike Trails is expected to generate upwards of 10,000 visitors in its first year.
All trails will connect to Omeo, bringing a much-needed economic boostto the township and boosting the town's reputation as a year-round tourismdestination.
The Omeo Mountain Bike Trails Project is funded by East GippslandCouncil, the Federal Government's Building Better Regions Fund and Local Roadsand Infrastructure Program Phase 3, and the Victorian Government RegionalTourism Infrastructure Fund through Regional Development Victoria.
