High Country Rail Trail

High Country Rail Trail

Heritage Trail

The Expression of Interest to develop the Rail Trail was originally submitted by parklands to the Victorian State Government in 1993. The Bandiana - Cudgewa Rail Trail concept and Management Plan was prepared in November 1996. In 1998, parklands requested to be appointed as Committee of Management for the Wodonga - Sandy Creek Section.

parklands Board role

In January 2000 the Minister for Conservation and Environment (Vic) appointed the parklands Board as Committee of Management for the Trail between the Kiewa River and Huon. In September 2001, the Minister appointed the Board as Committee of Management for an additional section between Sandy Creek and Old Tallangatta and has since provided a further $20,000 for safety work on bridges between Tallangatta and Old Tallangatta.

Wodonga-Cudgewa Rail Trail Advisory Committees

In June 2001, interested community members formed the Wodonga-Sandy Creek Rail Trail Advisory Committee to further develop the trail into a major recreation, environmental and tourist asset for the region. The committee has since changed their name to the Wodonga-Cudgewa Rail Trail Advisory Committee).

Funding

In April 1999, $40,000 was allocated from Land Victoria for repairs to specific bridges between Bandiana and Tallangatta. The Wodonga-Cudgewa Rail Trail Advisory Committee received $20,000 funding from NHT for revegetation from the Kiewa River to Sandy Creek Pylons.

In addition to this further funding has been received from:

• Parks Victoria: Start Up Grant $500 for Advisory Committee
• Parks Victoria: Bonegilla Siding Renovation $3,540
• Rancho Holdings Pty Ltd Wodonga: $1,000 donation for fuel costs associated with grading by National Industrial Skills Training Centre and
• Crown Land Reserves Improvement Program (CLIP) (DNRE): $55,000 for a bridge over the Kiewa River
• Development of the Rail Trail.

The development of the High Country Heritage Rail Trail will:

• provide valuable links between communities and strengthen local economies
• enhance regional recreational opportunities
• raise the profile of NE Victoria, a magnificent region of Australia
• establish a significant wildlife corridor
• promote national and international tourism
• preserve culturally and historically valuable areas
• providing a hands on environment and heritage classroom.

Features of the Rail Trail

• the easy, scenic, grades from Wodonga to Tallangatta alongside Lake Hume
• the picturesque, steeper grades between Tallangatta and Cudgewa
• spectacular timber trestle bridges
•  Building of the Hume Reservoir
• Troop trains to Bonegilla 1940-1945.
• Migrant trains to Bonegilla 1947-1971
• Construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme.
   

Inquiries from volunteers wishing to join with the partnering organisations will be welcomed through parklands on (02)60236714 or Email railtrail@parklands-alburywodonga.org.au