The rain stopped just long enough last weekend to allow a celebration for the completion of upgrades to the East Gippsland Rail Trail in eastern Victoria.

Rail Trails Australia president Damian McCrohan was honoured to be able to help the volunteer rail trail management committee cut the ribbon bringing an end to many years of their work on this upgrade. The 96 km rail trail opened completely almost 20 years ago on a very tight budget and was showing the passage of time. Over the last 5 years, extensive grant applications and then time-consuming project management have seen most of the trail surface upgraded, providing a smoother surface for all users; deteriorating small bridges replaced with low maintenance structures, and greatly improved signage installed.

Thanks to the Victorian and federal government for funding, and to the committee to again provide tremendous value for money and a great experience for rail trail users.

The final upgrade was in the Newmeralla area near Orbost where the opening took place. The committee are looking forward to a bit of rest now and continuing to lobby the East Gippsland Shire Council to provide some assistance in the rail trail’s maintenance, like most other council’s do for volunteer run rail trails in their region.

IMAGE: Rail trail committee chair Gaynor Rettino does the honours as proud committee members and RTA president Damian McCrohan look on.

30 years of EGRT committee chair people! Bob Yeates, Michael Oxer, Joe Rettino, Gaynor Rettino and Al Campbell

Enjoying the fruits of all the work on the smooth new surface in the magnificent forests of east Gippsland