13.5km Yarrawonga to Burramine Adventure Trail officially opens

The 13.5km track along the Murray Valley Highway is the first stage in the large Murray River Adventure Trail.

Byramine Homestead owner of 30 years Leo Kelly leased a patch of his land along the route to Moira Shire Council at no cost to help complete the project.

"I appreciated what the Shire was trying to do," he said.

"It was land that we weren't using very much, so it hasn't cost me anything and it's going to help Burramine and Yarrawonga.

"Since I have been here the area has been big for me, so I think it's time I do a little bit for the area in my little way."

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The Federal Government contributed $618,000 under the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program to construct the trail.

At the trail's official opening on Wednesday, Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum said the program was to boost economic activity.

"The Murray Darling Basin Plan taking water out of agriculture for the environment has a negative impact on agriculture, has a negative impact on the area," he said.

"So this is an economic recovery program all about putting millions of dollars back into those communities who have been adversely affected.

"There's lots of different ways we can bring people into the regions and by investing in cycling trails and cycling infrastructure, it just brings another cohort out here that otherwise might not venture into this part of the world."

Mr Kelly, a farmer himself for Kelly Brothers Market Gardens, said the trail showed great long term fore-thought for the regional community.

"We're vegetable farming people and we intend on continuing that tradition," he said. "However, in my 30 years here I see that the influx of new unfarming people ... and the tourism industry is expanding at a million miles an hour ... so they're bringing money to this town and the Burramine area.

"So farming will continue to be big, but the extra growth will be in tourism and people coming to live here, and a lot of those people are retired and they're looking for things to do."

Moira mayor Libro Mustica said the project was especially important after businesses were impacted during COVID-19.

"Council has to support local businesses as much as we can, so this project is just absolutely fantastic," he said.

"I mean look at the area, who wouldn't want to ride a push bike?

"It just goes to show that when we all come together we can achieve great things."

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