Construction workers seen making great progress on the section of the path that meanders past the beautiful Lake Moodemere Estate Winery on the Murray Valley Highway.
The development of the $5.13 million Rutherglen Loops is forging ahead with significant progress made in recent weeks.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Rutherglen Loops (previously known at the Rutherglen Wine Walk Cycle Trail) is a fully funded initiative to develop and expand walking and cycling tourism throughout Rutherglen.
Sealing works on the Barkly Street section are now complete and the finishing touches, including handrails and line marking, will be completed in the coming weeks.
Rutherglen Loops (previously known at the Rutherglen Wine Walk Cycle Trail) is an initiative to develop and expand walking and cycling tourism throughout Rutherglen.
Pathway construction along the Murray Valley Highway is continuing and council have completed drainage works on Graham Lane to prepare for the on-road section of the trail.
Indigo Shire Council are also in the process of evaluating five recently closed tenders and will be looking to award these as soon as possible to allow works to commence.
Works on the paths have advanced well in the last few months.
The Jacks Road/Main Street West section has been officially sealed, while the first coat of seal has now been applied to Barkly Street.
In addition, work along the Murray Valley Highway is making strides, with sub-grade preparation for the path alignment now underway and several culvert crossings installed.
The Rutherglen Loops will consist of a series of loops spanning approximately 48 kilometres, featuring a blend of new paths and upgrades to existing rail trails.
Efforts have also commenced on repairing flood-damaged sections of the existing Wahgunyah trail network.
This initiative is a significant part of the broader Rutherglen Loops project, which aims to enhance walking and cycling tourism in the region.
When complete, the network will span approximately 48 kilometres, featuring a blend of new paths and upgrades to existing rail trails and shared pathways.
A recently completed section of the Rutherglen Loops.
The Rutherglen Loops will consist of a series of smaller loops situated near the Rutherglen township, catering to cyclists of all skill levels.
Additionally, the project includes longer loops that connect to the Rail Trail leading to Wahgunyah, offering routes to All Saints Winery to the north or Lake Moodemere to the south.
Each loop is designed to provide ample opportunities for visitors to explore local cellar doors and wineries along the way.
Cyclists of all levels can enjoy a range of routes, from easy, flat rides to the challenging ‘King of the Hill’ 98km advanced trail.
As the Rutherglen Loops continue to take shape, the project promises to further enrich the area's reputation as a premier destination for cycling and wine enthusiasts alike.
Track maintenance questioned
At Indigo Shire Council’s July 30 meeting, local resident Peter Twigg raised the question about the risk of not repairing tracks promptly after they have sustained damage, such as the recent floods.
“The business case for the Rutherglen Wine Walk Cycle Trail, now known as Rutherglen Loops, detailed the risks associated with the project,” Mr Twigg said.
“A major risk identified was trail maintenance. The report's author stated, "trail maintenance is a critical component of the experience remaining high quality and attracting people to ride the destination”.
“Repairs to key sections of the project in Wahgunyah, the Tommy McRae Trail, the River Loop Trail and Recreation Trail have just commenced some twenty months after the flood waters have receded,” Mr Twigg said.
“Previous advice received from council was that the repairs to these trails would be completed in the last quarter of 2023.
“Does council acknowledge that maintenance is critical and what will be put in place to ensure that damage from future flood events is repaired in a timely manner?” Mr Twigg asked.
In response, Indigo Shire Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services, Mr Ian Elletts, acknowledged that trail maintenance is critical and should be done in a timely manner.
“If, as in the circumstances we’ve had recently, we are reliant on funding support from a third party, we need to be able to secure that funding first.
“It is also worth pointing out that we have been aware all along of the likelihood that parts of the trail will from time to time go under water.
“But there are a number of different loops on offer so, in all likelihood, even when parts of the trail may be affected by flooding, other parts will be available for use and enjoyment.”
9°C