Great Southern Regional Trails Master Plan - Outdoors Great Southern
^

Great Southern Regional Trails Master Plan

A ten-year program of trail infrastructure delivery in the Great Southern creating a world-class trails destination.

The Great Southern Regional Trails Master Plan (RTMP) was launched by Mr Rick Wilson MP, Member for O’Connor, at Tower Hill in Mount Barker on Friday 18 September.

The RTMP identifies a coherent and clearly outlined program of trail infrastructure development across the Great Southern region over a ten-year period (2019-2029). The Master Plan focuses on a range of trail experiences suited to different user groups, including user needs for trail-related products and services, across the Great Southern.

The RTMP focuses on active leisure trails which involve an outdoor recreation element. This includes terrestrial trails (walking/hiking, trail running, cycling, mountain biking, and adventure bike riding) as well as aquatic trails (paddling a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, and snorkelling/diving). It includes a drive trail which link together a series of ‘active nodes’, as well as heritage and cultural trails.

 

What are the key outcomes of the plan?
  • A ten-year program of infrastructure delivery across the Great Southern region, providing a long-term view that allows for budget planning between the State and respective local governments;
  • An identified list of 14 priority trail projects;
  • Concept planning for some of those projects;
  • Structures for management and maintenance for the proposed infrastructure.

 

Public Consultation 

Thank you to all those who offered informed comment on the plan, either representing an industry organisation or agency,  or as groups or individuals with an interest in outdoor recreation and trails.

 

 

How is the project funded?

Funding to develop the Great Southern Regional Trails Master Plan was secured through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) and Lotterywest.

Partner contributions have been provided by:

  • The City of Albany;
  • Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup;
  • Shire of Cranbrook;
  • Shire of Denmark;
  • Shire of Gnowangerup;
  • Shire of Jerramungup;
  • Shire of Katanning;
  • Shire of Kent;
  • Shire of Kojonup;
  • Shire of Plantagenet;
  • Shire of Woodanilling;
  • The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC);
  • The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA); and
  • The Great Southern Development Commission (GSDC).

 

What happens next?

The final plan has now been endorsed by all 11 local government authorities.

 

How can I find out more?
  • View the RTMP Background Report here and background infographic here
  • View the Executive Summary of the RTMP here
  • View the summary of public consultation activities here
  • View the full Regional Trails Master Plan here
  • RTMP FAQ
  • This project employs the WA Trail Development Series eight-stage planning framework, found here.

 

If you have further questions, please email:

Outdoors Great Southern Trails Program Manager Dale Cameron dale.cameron@outdoorsgreatsouthern.org.au.

 

Photo: @mtoseaphotos // Instagram