Member for Albury Greg Aplin joined the mayors from Albury, Berrigan and Federation Councils at Corowa on Wednesday morning to announce the new tourism corridor, named the ‘Murray River Regional Experiences’.

The precinct will connect three major projects – the Albury Riverside Precinct, Parks and Wetlands Redevelopment, the Tocumwal Foreshore Activation and Economic Revitalisation project, and the Corowa-Mulwala trail and Foreshore Project – creating the ultimate river tourism experience.

“Today’s announcement will transform our stunning waterways and wetlands into one of the state’s must-see river tourism trails,” Mr Aplin said.

“In short, this funding will open up parts of the Murray River that people have never before been able to explore.

“This funding will be used to build new tourism facilities that will give local residents and visitors access to parks, walking and cycling trails, boardwalks, man-made lagoons, billabongs and picnic facilities.

“These projects will generate a huge return on investment, attracting an additional 365,000 tourists to the region each year, directly creating new local jobs in the tourism industry and ultimately ensuring that tourists stay longer and spend more in our local towns and cities.  

“The Murray River on the NSW border is one of the most stunning waterways in Australia and it will now have the connected tourism corridor it deserves,” he said. 

The project is one of around 30 projects being delivered in regional NSW through the Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund.

The ‘Murray River Regional Experiences’ precinct has received co-funding from local councils, taking the shared investment to $20.6 million.

Central to the works in Albury will be the development of a $6.65 million riverside precinct near the Albury Swim Centre. Jointly funded by Albury council and the State Government, this project will include the construction of an all-access boardwalk along the river’s edge, a floating pontoon for water craft, landscaped viewing platforms, a major upgrade to parking around Australia Park and improved pedestrian access to the Oddies Creek Playground.

Other developments under the funding package will include additional pathways along the Wagirra Trail, an Education and Experience Centre at Wonga Wetlands, riverside park upgrades, and environmental works to protect a section of the river subject to erosion.

Albury Mayor Kevin Mack, said the region’s riverside, parks and wetlands will be transformed, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the stunning environmental surrounds.

“Albury is already known for its natural beauty and eco-tourism. Tourists can now plan to visit our redeveloped Wonga Wetlands that will comprise of 80 hectares of manmade wetlands and billabongs, or cycle or walk around a new trail linking key tourism spots with the wetlands,” Cr Mack said.

Mayor of Federation Council, Pat Bourke, said he is excited to see this amazing project come to life and bring tourists from across Australia and the world to Corowa, Mulwala and everywhere in between to experience the amazing natural surrounds. 

“For people who love the outdoors the Corowa-Mulwala Trail and foreshore project will be a must see, must experience adventure with a new 43 kilometre walking trail along the Murray River for visitors’ experience.

Mayor of Berrigan Shire Council, Matthew Hannan, said the announcement would provide a huge economic stimulus for the region.

“Today’s joint announcement with the NSW Government will see a major upgrade of the Tocumwal foreshore reconnecting the river to the town and giving tourists more reasons to visit Tocumwal.

The Regional Growth - Environment and Tourism Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund to support infrastructure projects in the state’s regions.