General News
21 March, 2024
Funds for local rail trail
Solidifying its future, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) has received $20,000 from Bendigo Bank — which will gear it up for success as it applies for further funding. While construction of the 55-kilometre path, along the unused rail...
Solidifying its future, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) has received $20,000 from Bendigo Bank — which will gear it up for success as it applies for further funding.
While construction of the 55-kilometre path, along the unused rail corridor between the two towns, still has a long way to go, the CMRT committee is actively working on securing finances for the second stage of development.
The bank’s funding now makes up a fifth of what the group needs to capitalise on the State Government’s Enabling Tourism Fund 2024.
According to CMRT Incorporated president Janice Simpson, the support from Bendigo Bank could prove to be significant.
“This money means that we are now able to confidently put in a grant application to the Victorian Government,” she said.
“What that grant does is, it matches funding four to one — so if we contribute $100,000 we would get $400,000 from the government.
“We need around $520,000 to complete a number of things before construction, including a cultural heritage study, an environment and ecology plan as well as conduct landholder consultations.”
To round off that initial contribution to $100,000 — Ms Simpson said the committee is currently engaging in discussions with the Central Goldfields and Mount Alexander shire councils to pitch in $40,000 each.
“We’re looking to get a commitment from the two shires that they will fund the initiative so we can then apply for the grant,” she said.
“I think they will see the great opportunities it offers the community and businesses in the region.”
As applications for the Enabling Tourism Fund close on March 28, both shires are expected to respond to CMRT’s request by next week — with their decision crucial to the project’s future.
For Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud’s Julie Driscoll, supporting the rail trail through the grant was a no brainer.
“It’s a smaller amount from us to help them get bigger grants from the government,” she said.
“I think it’s such an important stage for them and this will help them get to the next really big stage.
“We want to uplift project that are going to help grow the community. Our vision is to create strong, connected and vibrant communities and [CMRT] fits perfectly in line with that.”