Stop horses being banned from the Mitchell Shire section of the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail

Background

As you are probably aware, development of the Rail Trail has received widespread support from all sections of the community. Following the old train line from Tallarook to Mansfield and Alexandra, it will give easy access to bush walkers, cyclists and horse riders to some of the most beautiful country in central Victoria. Starting close to the Tallarook railway station, the trail will provide an ideal, safe recreational location for individuals, families and organisations from the three Shires (Mansfield, Murrindindi and Mitchell) and beyond.

In 26 June 2006, Mitchell Shire Council approved the Concept Plan and Business Plan for the Rail Trail: a walking/cycling path and separate bridle path for horses constructed along the old Rail Reserve. Local pony and horse riders, in particular, were very keen to see the development of a safe, quiet and easily accessible trail near Seymour and hundreds of locals had signed petitions and made submissions in favour of the Rail Trail.

In 2009, a Federal Government Regional & Local Community Infrastructure grant of $13.2million was received to complete the Rail Trail from Mansfield to Tallarook.

The Mansfield section of the trail has been open for some time. The Mitchell section will partially open on 23 December whilst still under construction. The Rail Trail is being constructed largely on the publicly owned Rail Reserve which is generally 30m wide however much of the trail in Mitchell is as narrow as 4.2m. Land not required for the Rail Trail has been leased back to adjoining landowners under a 'Lease to Graze'. The original commitment to ratepayers has not been fulfilled. The Rail Trail was to consist of two separate paths – a built path for walkers, wheelchair users and cyclists and a slashed bridle path nearby for ponies and horses. In Mitchell Shire we currently have one narrow granitic sand path for everyone to share. There has been no attempt to slash a grass path for ponies and horses in the Rail Reserve nearby.

There are a number of safety issues with the Rail Trail in Mitchell Shire which currently affect walkers, wheelchair users, cyclists, and pony and horse riders. These issues are being examined by Mitchell Shire and include: the narrowness of the trail in some sections, fencing materials, path surface, lack of enough parking for all types of users (cars and trailers/caravans/floats, motorhomes).

For reasons, such as, ‘lack of float parking’ and ‘landholder negotiations’, it has been stated that ponies and horses will be banned under Council by-laws from the Mitchell Shire section of the trail once the trail has been completed by the Project Team and responsibility handed over to Mitchell Shire. Riders who use this section will face penalties under the by-laws. This is a unique, unusual and ‘last-minute’ development in Mitchell Shire. No other rail trail designed and developed from start-up to include a bridle path has later banned horses. Neither Mansfield nor Murrindindi Shires have seen the need to ban ponies and horses from any parts of the Rail Trail: they have successfully negotiated and constructed the trail despite any obstacles which arose.

Petition

“To the Councillors of Mitchell Shire Council.

This Petition draws to the attention of the Council that there is strong support for the development of a bridle path along the entire length of the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail within the Mitchell Shire section of the Rail Trail reserve beside the walking/cycling track as originally proposed in 2006.

The petitioners request that the Mitchell Shire Council act in a timely manner to complete the bridle path for the full length of the Rail Trail within the Mitchell Shire in accordance with the original wishes of Residents as per Petitions and Submissions in 2006 and in line with the Rail Trail developments in Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires.”

Petition Start Date - 3.30pm 19th December, 2011