City of Mount Gambier has secured $800,000 from the state government to extend a shared path from the Mount Gambier Rail Trail and install solar lighting along the popular track.
The new extension stretches two kilometres between Wandilo Road and the TAFE and university campus on Wireless Road West.
The new solar lighting will be installed along the entire 11.3 kilometre shared path that runs through the city along the former railway line.
"This will encourage further use of the path for the health and wellbeing of the community and reduce the use of vehicles within the city, contributing to all five goals within Council’s Strategic Plan 2020-2024,” said City of Mount Gambier Acting Chief Executive Barbara Cernovskis.
University of South Australia regional manager Ian McKay is quoted by the ABC: "For TAFE and Uni SA students who do cycle to classes, the extension of the rail trail will be really appreciated."
"It will provide a safe corridor for their commute from home to their studies so I think it's a great move forward and it probably will encourage more students from both campuses to cycle."
Having visited Mount Gambier in 2019 as part of our greatest Great Vic Bike Ride ever, Bicycle Network and thousands of Great Vic riders can confirm that Mount Gambier is terrific town to tour by bike, and welcome these improvements to the network.
The local council will match the funding provided through the Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program, established to support councils and accelerate spending on community infrastructure projects that contribute to the future economic growth of the region.
Photo of Mackenzie and Madeleine enjoy riding along the Rail Trail path which will soon be extended from Wandilo Road to TAFE, Wireless Road West courtesy of www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/