By Courtney O’Brien
FARMERS are angry and disappointed at the lack of information, communication, or consultation received from Bass Coast Shire Council about the proposed Gippsland Odyssey Trail.
The Gippsland Odyssey Trail – previously named The Gippsland Trail, would link Nyora to Woolamai through farmlands.
The trail is 21 kilometres long and would cost $9.9 million to build, according to a feasibility study released by Council in July 2020.
Farmers lease sections of the rail trail from VicTrack and the trail often forms an integral part of their property and farming operations.
In the 2020 feasibility study from Council, it was advised that the cost for the trail would be ‘higher per metre rate due to land tenure issues and bridging,’ and that ‘VicTrack leasing condition and terms need to be factored into the Council decisions on investment in the rail trail’.
In a previous study released in September 2019, it had been identified that one of the major threats to rail trail projects was ‘Complexity of land management across boundaries and the regulations that apply’.
It has been four years since the first study was released and three years since major issues were identified; with Council understanding that it would increase time, cost and overall feasibility of the proposed trail.
During October 2022, Council announced that $375,000 from a Victorian Government grant was awarded to progress planning development for the trail extension between Woolamai and Nyora.
Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires agreed to also collaborate financially and contribute an additional $500,000 to project plans.
Lyn Whitlam and Peter Brown have lived in Glen Forbes on farmland since the mid-90s and have had to accept gas and desalination lines being installed through their property over the years.
They are now anticipating the Gippsland Odyssey Trail will run through the middle of their property. According to the couple, as there has been no contact from council, and no information is forthcoming, it is impacting their peace of mind.
If the rail trail went ahead, logistics would become a concern, together with biosecurity issues, litter, trespassing and property theft, as their house is only 250 meters from the trail, they highlighted.
The neighbour agists his cattle on the couple’s farm, which is divided in half by the rail trail. Cattle are regularly moved back and forth across the trail.
The couple have no clarity over who will be responsible for fencing and associated costs, who would be responsible for maintenance and weed control of the trail – one of the concerns also highlighted in a previous feasibility study.
“It’s just very frustrating because there are so many unanswered questions,” Lyn said.
“It just seems a little bit odd that there has not been the courtesy to advise us of this happening and exactly when it’s happening and who is responsible and things like that.
“There are a number of issues which arise of course because we move cattle around, we take cattle through paddocks, they have to be taken across the road and across the rail trail and into paddocks on opposite sides of the road.
“There’s been no discussion of how this might be managed if there are hordes of people coming by or really what, you know there’s just nothing?
“We simply don’t know.
“We are concerned about the security of things. We don’t have a biosecurity plan, simply because we felt we have never needed it, because we felt it was pretty secure, but it’s kind of been open up to the world now, so we are a little bit nervous and are just wondering.
“There are so many unanswered questions. It would have been nice if the council had come to us and said, ‘this is what we’re planning, can you see any problems?”
David and Marie Trigg have been living and working on their farm in Woodleigh also since the mid-nineties.
The rail trail runs through the property, only 10 metres from their house and garden and 40 metres from an open sided four bay machinery shed.
If the rail trail goes ahead, the couple will face impacted access to their home and sheds, privacy and theft and biosecurity issues.
The couple are also concerned about litter and access to toilets and amenities for people along the route.
“We are very concerned about the proposed rail trail on the old railway line and its effect on our property. We believe it will have a very significant impact on our farming business and, indeed our way of life through economic, physical and most importantly social disruption,” Marie said.
“All our living, outside entertaining area are fully visible and within earshot of the rail line.
“Our driveway access to the house crosses the trail, as does a separate truck and vehicle access, tractors machinery to our shedding and cattle yards. The property has another access that is restricted by the load limit on the bridge.
“The trail serves as the only laneway for movement of cattle through the property. The cattle yards and shed are located sot the cattle must be moved along the rail line over the creek to the yards as the property is on a flood plain and much of the land is waterlogged for 4 – 6 months of the year.
“Biosecurity is an ever-present issue for the farm. As our beef farm operation focuses on breeding, we limit the movement of cattle on the property to stud bulls and are mindful of people and vehicle movement.”
The couple have recently contacted Bass Coast Shire Deputy Mayor, Councillor Rochelle Halstead to raise their concerns and gain information and clarity on the proposed project and their potential options.
“I’ve been following up with council officers about her (Marie’s) concerns...I spoke with our council officers and all of those things will be considered as part of the consultation. The funding that has been given in the budget is to just start those conversations,” said Cr Halstead.
“I’ve offered to go out onsite with officers and officers have agreed to go out and look at the concerns that she’s raised, which I think are incredibly valid.
“It would be my hope that council officers would take all of those concerns into consideration as they progress this process.”
When approached for comment, a spokesperson from the Bass Coast Shire Council stated: “Bass Coast Shire Council has received funding through Regional Development Victoria’s Investment Fast Track Fund for a Feasibility Study for the section of the Gippsland Odyssey Trail from Woolamai to Nyora. This link is a high priority project in Council's Tracks and Trails Strategy. It will occur in partnership with South Gippsland Shire Council as a section of the trail is within South Gippsland Shire. A key component of this Feasibility Study is engagement opportunities for landowners along the length of this trail. Engagement will continue throughout the duration of this project. Initial community engagement will commence as soon as a tender is awarded for this project. We are currently working through the tender process.”
