Council voted unanimously to endorse the public exhibition of the Draft Regional Trails Masterplan at the Thursday 18 November 2021 SMRC meeting, a key part of the strategy to transform the region into a year-round tourist destination.
The Regional Trails Masterplan is a long-term plan that sets out Council's priorities, goals and aspirations in building and sustaining a world class trail network for our region. Developed in consultation with leading sport and recreation firm Tredwell Management over the course of almost a year from November 2020, the plan will play a major role in securing a strong and healthy tourism industry in the Snowy Monaro into the future as well as providing locals with some great recreational opportunities in their own backyard.
The Masterplan includes many trail opportunities and ways forward for the next decade, with close attention paid to current social and tourism trends, in consideration of the importance of trail planning and management. Good planning ensures that these trails will appeal to our community and visitors now and in the future.
There's a large amount of research to show that great trails help drive tourism and its many economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits to regional Australia.
The Regional Trails Masterplan was identified as a high priority within the Snowy Monaro Regional Council Destination Management Plan and is key to identifying trails with the greatest potential to create benefits for the community and the economy.
The draft masterplan consists of two volumes: Volume I - Regional Trails Masterplan - including walking, trail running, mountain biking, road cycling and equestrian trails; and Volume II - Lake Jindabyne 'Around the Lake' Trail Experience Feasibility Study. The Monaro Rail Trail is also featured.
The trail extension to Kalkite and Creel Bay has already been funded, and the project is underway. The proposed establishment of a water-based transport service on Lake Jindabyne would service recreational trail users and members of the public. This option would provide many additional benefits to the Lake Jindabyne trail experience. Further investigation with key stakeholders would be required.
The Draft Regional Trails Masterplan will be open for comments and feedback from the public for nine weeks from Monday 22 November 2021 to Friday 28 January 2022. Go to www.yoursaysnowymonaro.com.au to get involved and have your say on our region's trails.
