Items filtered by date: December 2025

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

Wondering how to get buy-in from local councils and stakeholders? The East Gippsland Rail Trail (EGRT) Committee of Management (CoM) came up with an innovative idea: invite them along for a ride.
The 7-member committee hosted 3 East Gippsland Shire Council’s councillors including the mayor and a community infrastructure planner on a section of the 96km-long trail on a Saturday morning in March. They used the opportunity to show councillors improvement works that had been done on the trail over the years –thanks to grants from the State and Federal governments – and to discuss the challenges the committee faces without ongoing maintenance funding.
Chair of the committee, Gaynor Rettino, said the group rode from the historic Stony Creek Trestle Bridge to Nowa Nowa, with some continuing on to view Ironstone Creek Trestle Bridge.
The EGRT is one of the longest 
in Victoria and is entirely in one municipality, whilst many other trails in Australia go through 2 or more shires. Prior to departing on the ride, the mayor and councillors were given a brief history of the trail and information on how other trails throughout the state are funded for maintenance (frequently funded either directly or indirectly by their local councils).
The ‘about’ section on East 
Gippsland Rail Trail’s website (www.eastgippslandrailtrail.com.au) has before and after photos of the rail trail, showing sections that have morphed from weed-infested single-track to crisp, wide, rideable sections. “We were successful in obtaining 4 large grants from the State and Federal governments that we used to upgrade almost the entire length of the trail’s surface as well as repairing/replacing bridges, addressing problem areas with new culverts, safer road crossing points and emergency markers,” says Gaynor. Now the small volunteer committee 
of management needs to maintain the 96km-long trail.
The EGRT CoM has only been able to do the upgrades due to the hundreds of hours the committee has spent writing grant applications. “I couldn’t tell you how long I’ve spent doing grant applications,” says Gaynor. “For those big grants? It’s a lot of time!” And there’s no guarantee they’ll win them, which means the committee is never quite sure if they’ll have enough money for basic trail maintenance. “In the past, we’ve had to wait until we have enough money in the bank to be able to spray the weeds and slash the sides of the trail,” says Gaynor. “We’ve put a great deal of effort into upgrading the trail to its current standard and it would be a shame for it to go backwards,” she says.
The CoM has commenced upgrades to the final section of trail east of Simpsons Creek, thanks to funding through the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund. This project marks the completion of the 96km trail surface refurbishment, making it safer and more enjoyable for users of all abilities.
In July this year, post-bike tour, the committee formally briefed East Gippsland Shire Council and asked 
it to provide an annual budget for maintenance for the popular rail trail. “Basically, what we’re asking for is for the shire to give us certainty that we’ve got some money to be able to control the vegetation on the rail trail a couple of times a year so it doesn’t become overgrown,” reports Gaynor.
The committee is still waiting for the response from the shire, but Gaynor knows what she’ll do if she can finally have a break from applying for all the grants: “I’ll probably be out on the trail, having a ride!” she says.

IMAGE: Rail trail committee members along with East Gippsland shire mayor, 2 councillors and the council’s community infrastructure planner ready to inspect the rail trail, starting at the iconic Stony Creek Bridge. Photo: East Gippsland Rail Trail CoM

The final upgrade of the East Gippsland Rail Trail between Orbost and  Simpsons Creek was officially opened on Saturday November 29, marking a major milestone for the region's outdoor  tourism infrastructure.
East Gippsland Rail Trail chair, Gaynor Rettino, led the proceedings, celebrating the completion of works made possible by more than $700,000 in grant funding secured by the trail committee.
Around 30 to 40 supporters and enthusiasts gathered for the occasion, which highlighted the crucial role of community volunteers in maintaining the asset. 
Local resident Robbie Beel, who, alongside fellow enthusiast Eddie Slater, patrols and cleans the section between Orbost and Simpsons Creek every fortnight.
Ms Rettino paid tribute to the pair, describing their volunteer efforts as "amazing"  and noting that the committee would struggle to maintain the trail to such a high standard without their "splendid volunteer work" in the Orbost area.
However, the celebration was mixed with calls for greater local government support.
Rail Trails Australia president, Damian McCrohan attended the opening and noted that the East Gippsland Rail Trail is now the longest trail in Australia managed  by a committee.
Mr McCrohan took the opportunity to criticise the East Gippsland Shire Council, stating it was "unfortunate" that the local shire had shown little, if any, interest  or financial support over the years of the trail's development.
He contrasted this with the State and Federal Governments, as well as nearly all other shires in Victoria, which he said have actively contributed to the promotion and funding of similar trails.
Highlighting the economic potential of the asset, Mr McCrohan cited Federal Government reports estimating that rail trails contribute $862 million in spending by users across the country.

IMAGE: Chair of the East Gippsland Rail Trail, Gaynor Rettino with Orbost resident, Robbie Beel at the recent upgrade opening of the trail. Robbie is one of the volunteers who patrols and cleans the section between Orbost and Simpsons Creek every fortnight.

Surrounded by East Gippsland Rail Trail (EGRT) supporters, friends and committee members, chair of the trial committee Gaynor Rettino officially opened the upgraded section of the trail between Simpsons Creek and Orbost. 
The section was able to be upgraded after the local Rail Trail committee submitted applications for State Government funding and received more than $700,000.
In the past six years the committee has seen in excess of $5.5 million spent on the local rail trial between Bairnsdale and Orbost, making it one of the longest rail trails  in Australia.
Gaynor welcomed everyone to the gathering on the trail, where Preston's road crosses the trail  at Newmerella. She paid tribute to fellow committee members, Al Campbell, Trish Fox, Geoff Scott, Andrew Sharpe, David Scott and project manager for the area Frank McShane and recognised the presence of current president of rail trails Australia Damian McCrohan and past EGRT chairman who attended the day.
Gaynor also thanked Cranes Civil and Civic, C&W Excavations T&K Brunt and Signline for their services on the trail. 
Local MP, Tim Bull sincerely congratulated the small committee for their great work they had done on behalf of the wider community and had succeeded in making the East Gippsland Rail Trail an outstanding tourist attraction for East Gippsland. 
"Out of disaster, the committee has renovated an asset that delivers significant economic and social benefits across the region," Mr Bull said. 
"The Committee of Management engaged local contractors, used local materials and kept the funding in our region, which is exactly what we want to see."
Mr Bull said the trail was now in the best condition it had ever been and would continue to grow as a major tourism asset for East Gippsland.
"The East Gippsland Rail Trail draws visitors to our towns, supports local businesses and encourages people to stay longer and explore more of what we have to offer," he said.
He encouraged locals and visitors to get out and enjoy the trail.
"Whether you want to ride the whole trail or just take on a popular section like Bairnsdale to Nicholson, now is the perfect time to experience it."
Mr McCrohan said he was aware the East Gippsland area had recently been awarded $2.5 million for further development and maintenance of trails in East Gippsland by the State Government and also the East Gippsland Shire have four staff working on the new downhill trails at Omeo, yet any ongoing financial assistance for the EGRT unfortunately appeared not to be on the horizon from the shire.

IMAGE: Ribbon cutting for the trail section opening at Newmerella. Trish Fox secretary, Michael Oxer (past chair) Al Campbell deputy chair, Gaynor Rettino current chair EGRT, Damian McCrohan President Rail Trails Australia and project manager Frank McShane.