Baw Baw Shire Council has welcomed $250,000 from the Foundation of Rural and Regional Renewal to fund the next phase of the Noojee Heritage Centre Precinct.
The grant will go towards supporting the Shaping the Future of Noojee project which is part of the broader Forestry Transition Program.
The program supports workers, businesses and the community in transitioning away from native timber harvesting and has been running since August 2022.
The grant will be used for the installation of new signage including the Rokeby to Noojee rail trail head, expanding and improving carparking including electric vehicle chargers and landscaping and picnic infrastructure.
The Shaping the Future of Noojee project comprises four key working groups that feed into the strategic direction of Noojee. These working groups are:
- The Noojee Eco Community Working Group
- The Specialised Agricultural Industry Development Working Group
- The Tracks and Trails Working Group, and
- The Power and Connectivity Reliability Working Group
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Kate Wilson welcomed the funding boost for Noojee.
"This latest funding announcement will be used to uplift the end of the popular Rokeby to Noojee rail trail and this is great news for our community," Cr Wilson said.
"We will ensure the new infrastructure maintains the current heritage and timber themes in the area by utilising natural materials to provide locals and visitors a sensory connection to the area's history."
"Some of this will be through interpretative signage, carved timber play spaces and the planting of native Australian flora to provide a place for our community to come together, reflect and connect in the beautiful outdoors."
Noojee is one of 11 Victorian towns and communities receiving support to transition and implement new strategies in their local economy.
For more about the Shaping the Future of Noojee project, visit Shaping the future of Noojee | Baw Baw Connect
Image: (L to R) Glenn Fenton, Chair of the Noojee Governance Group, Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Kate Wilson and Janiene Ayre, President of the Noojee & District Historical Society.
