Project Update - April 2025
Council have now completed a Draft Feasibility Study which can be viewed via the link below.
The feasibility study is a high-level investigation into the considerations and infrastructure that would be involved in the design and construction of the rail trail extension. It is intended to strengthen this potential project’s investment evidence base and accelerate investment readiness.
There is no funding currently available for this project to proceed to the next stages of detailed design and construction. If funded in the future, then further community consultation and feedback would take place.
The feasibility study considers many issues and opportunities including fencing, drainage, hydrology, biosecurity, trail profile and supporting infrastructure, planning requirements, construction costs, minimising impact on abutting farming operations and existing vegetation, the history of the railway line and the community and broader economic benefits of the trail.
Appendices to Feasibility Study
Information Session
Feasibility study is now available and council is looking forward to sharing the findings of the feasibility study for a potential rail trail between Woolamai and Nyora.
A community meeting will be held to present the findings on Wednesday 16 April, from 6.00pm to 7.30pm at Wonthaggi Town Hall. A more informal drop-in session to answer any questions will take place at Kernot Hall on Wednesday 30 April, between 12-2pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend either session. Please share these details with anyone who may be interested and register your attendance (if you haven’t already done so) by emailing traffic@basscoast.vic.gov.au
About the project
Bass Coast Shire Council, in partnership with South Gippsland Shire Council, has received funding through the State Government’s Investment Fast Track Fund to complete a Feasibility Study for the Woolamai- Nyora rail trail extension. Michael Smith and Associates Landscape Architecture and Urban Design has been appointed to undertake the Study.
This 25-kilometre section of trail is a missing link in the 1,100-kilometre Gippsland Odyssey Trail. Gippsland Odyssey will be one of the longest trails in Australia, extending all the way through Gippsland providing new active recreation and commuter links for the community and transforming key tourism infrastructure.
FAQ
Council is undertaking this feasibility work given that this project is a high priority project in our Tracks and Trails Strategy.
The purpose of the Study is to identify all requirements that would need to be met to enable this project to proceed to detailed design and construction. The development of the Study will include extensive engagement with affected landowners, as well as identifying any permits, approvals and structural requirements that would be needed to construct this trail.
Significant consideration has been given in the planning for this project to community and stakeholder engagement with a key focus on engaging with adjacent landowners to understand the leases and licenses over the proposed trail alignment and the impacts of trail development on landowners.
No. This project is a feasibility study, which will help to inform future investment in design and construction of the trail.
This feasibility study is not the detailed design or construction of the trail. Should the trail be considered feasible, further funding would be sought for the design and construction of the trail. This would likely occur in stages.
The project is funded through the State Government Investment Fast Track Fund, with a contribution from both Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shire Councils.
The completed feasibility study would allow the project to be considered to progress to detailed design and construction. This would be dependent on obtaining further funding and would likely be completed in stages over a number of years, given the size and complexity of this project.
Community benefits from growing Bass Coast’s Tracks and Trails network include:
- Connecting to townships and the wider region
- Providing infrastructure for health and wellbeing, and a connection to nature
- Creating tourism opportunities
This 25 kilometre section of trail is a missing link in the 1,100 kilometre Gippsland Odyssey Trail. Gippsland Odyssey will be one of the longest trails in Australia, extending all the way through Gippsland. providing new active recreation and commuter links for the community and transforming key tourism infrastructure.
Bass Coast Shire Council have completed an economic impact assessment for this project. The Woolamai to Nyora section of the Gippsland Odyssey Trail is expected to inject $875,000 in direct economic benefit to the region throughout the planning phase of the project and a further $36.12 million in direct economic benefit throughout the construction phase.
A consultant team led by Michael Smith and Associates Landscape Architecture and Urban Design has been appointed to complete the feasibility study. The team has extensive experience in working with rural communities and stakeholder groups in leisure, tourism and recreation-orientated projects.
The consultant team will be assessing the following:
- Costs and logistics of restoring timber trestle and concrete bridges over creek crossings or alternative bypass routes
- Main road and local road safe crossings and their costs
- The formation and construction materials of the trail and costs
- The needs of property owners such as additional fencing, cattle underpasses, and screen planting
- Trail head facilities (i.e. picnic tables, carpark areas, drinking water, bicycle repair stations, way finding and directional signage and historical information) at appropriate rest and stopping points along the route
- The costs of future planning, design and project management.
This feasibility study is not the detailed design or construction of the trail. Should the trail be considered feasible, further funding would be sought for the design and construction of the trail. This would likely occur in stages.
Further updates and opportunities for community engagement will be advertised through this page and Council’s media channels. Affected landowners will receive targeted correspondence and engagement throughout the project.
The feasibility study is expected to be completed mid 2025, and will be shared with the community at that time.