Mountain bike and cycling trails in the North East have been announced as the big winners in the latest round of Building Better Regions Fund grants.
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The federal government announced in Monday morning it would spend $1.3 million on the Great Valley Trail, to complete the shared trail between Bright and Harrietville, and $1 million on the Beechworth to Yackandandah Epic Mountain Bike Trail.
Other funding announcements were $400,000 for Colac Colac Caravan Park revitalisation, $91,000 for Parklands Albury Wodonga to completing the Shelley to Tallangatta Rail Trail, $50,000 for the North East Victoria Tourism Board to develop cycle tourism signage, $49,500 for Yackandandah Pistol Club, $40,000 to upgrade Corryong and District Memorial Public Hall kitchen facilities, $20,500 for Wangaratta Football and Netball Club, and $20,000 to develop the Baranduda Trails Master Plan.
All up, 14 projects across Indi will share in $3,452,500.
Senator Bridget McKenzie said the funding would ensure the regions had the infrastructure to ater for growing demand.
“Tourism is no longer a winter-only sector across Indi and the Alpine region. Hiking and mountain biking, wining and dining, or just getting out to soak up the great outdoors means thousands of people are enjoying this fantastic region year-round,” she said.
Indigo mayor Bernard Gaffney said he was thrilled with the grant.
“The Beechworth to Yackandandah Epic Mountain Bike Trail will be the only all‐season epic standard mountain bike trail in the southern hemisphere," he said.
"We have always prided ourselves as a premier cycle destination and now we will really be on the world stage.
“An epic trail recognised by the International Mountain Bike Association as the world‐class standard - completing an epic trail is like a badge of honour for mountain bikers.
“The new trail will attract mountain bikers from around the world and, with them, many economic benefits for the shire.
“We expect the trail will bring 12,500 visitors to North East Victoria.
"It will create 34 full-time employee jobs and inject $5.18 million in direct and indirect expenditure in North East Victoria."
More to come.
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