I don’t get out much these days and dinner with some camping friends at the Valley View caravan park was a pleasant way to spend the evening.

It’s amazing how visitors get the low down on what’s happening. Up at Lake William Hovell, there is major earthworks underway at the water’s edge where they are dredging an area below the water line and piling it up to a built up area. What’s going on? I will make enquiries of the local Parks Victoria man but it would appear that it may be preparatory work for the “Eco Village” proposed for the area.

Then on the way home I noticed about 2 kilometres of the hills behind Whitfield on fire. The local CFA brigades have been working up there since 9 am this morning apparently burning off although fire restrictions have not yet been lifted.

It looks like I should get out more often.

... another update from King Basin Landcare Group

Cycling Push for King Valley

A Cycling in the King Valley Action Group has recently formed to promote the construction of bicycle paths between Wangaratta and Lake William Hovell.

The group has already met with Clayton Neil, the Cycle Tourism Officer for Wangaratta, Alpine and Indigo shires, to explore funding options and strategies.

The creation of cycling and walking tracks would be of enormous benefit to the King Valley community, suggests group member Helen Bird.

“There would be a multitude of spin offs from this simple piece of infrastructure,” Mrs Bird said.

“The economic benefits through more recreational tourism are obvious,” she said. “But just as importantly the local residents will enjoy safer and easier walking and riding around and between their communities”.

“The positives for our general health and well being can hardly be exaggerated,” Mrs Bird said.

“Bike paths and rail trails have been a tremendous success and advantage in other parts of our region,” she said.

“We have talked about them for a number of years now and there is a lot of in principle support for the idea here and in Council.”

“We now have to take the next steps,” Mrs Bird said

As a first step the group is seeking widespread expressions of community support for presentation to Council, to set the groundwork for specific funding submissions.

At this point support is being sought firstly for the broad proposal to construct a rail trail from Wangaratta to Whitfield and Cheshunt.

In addition a number of specific local paths are being proposed for immediate construction. These would run from Whitfield to Gentle Annie, Whitfield to Cheshunt, Moyhu to the King River swimming hole at Moyhu. A fourth path from Cheshunt to Gentle Annie, skirting the King River, is also being mooted

“It is crucial that we get back up from a range of interests in the community, from local businesses to community groups, sporting organisations, families and individuals,” Mrs Bird said.

“I urge everyone to get behind us,” she said

If you want more information or would like to become involved in this project, contact Helen Bird on 03 57 298395