By Charlotte Varcoe and Raquel Mustillo
CONSTRUCTION on the entire 15km stretch of the Penola-Coonawarra rail trail will steam ahead this month after Wattle Range councillors selected a “competitive” tender to undertake the project.
Council chief executive Ben Gower said the tender process would allow for the construction of the entire trail, starting from the Penola township to Father Woods Park.
At last month’s council meeting, elected members awarded the construction tender of the entire trail – which was previously planned to be undertaken in four stages due to budget constraints – to Adelaide-based company Transformer Services.
“We didn’t think we’d be able to get the Penola township done because of our budget, but with this we are pretty confident we will,” Mr Gower said.
“From Father Woods Park, the trail will run across a road reserve running east-west, then it will run due west from the park for 3km until it hits the rail corridor.
“It will run all the way down the rail corridor to where the rail line hits the bypass junction on the Millicent Road.”
Mr Gower said discussion was continuing with landholders regarding linking the rail trail from the bypass to the Penola township.
He said Naracoorte Lucindale Council was currently constructing its rail trail, which will eventually link with the Wattle Range route at Father Woods Park.
“We’ll look at connections through some of the quiet streets through to Greenrise Recreational Reserve and the path will continue to the Penola cemetery,” Mr Gower said.
The project is largely funded by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and will follow Coonawarra’s abandoned railway line.
The Federal Government will fund $1.7m of the $2m project, with the State Government contributing $200,000 through the State Bicycle Fund against a matching $200,000 contribution from Wattle Range Council.
Once both Wattle Range and Naracoorte Lucindale council sections are completed, the 75km trail will link Naracoorte and Penola through agricultural land and a range of native and plantation forests.
Avid cyclist and Penola resident Wendy Hollick said she was excited for the progression of the trail following years of advocating for its development.
“The potential this rail trail has for tourism is phenomenal and its construction will be fantastic for the region as it will become another offering for the Limestone Coast,” she said.
“In the years that I have been advocating for this, I never dreamed it would extend all the way out to the Father Woods Park during one stage of construction.
“[The trail] will contribute to joining both Penola and Naracoorte together.
“I am hoping it will entice people to get onto bikes more.
“It is a positive step for wineries, accommodation and businesses throughout both Penola and Coonawarra.”
Ms Hollick said the trail will provide residents and tourists with an opportunity to walk, run or cycle through Coonawarra before visiting Father Woods Park.
She welcomed council’s careful consideration and consultation as how to best link the trail to the Penola township.
“I believe the biggest challenge that may be faced in regards to building the trail will be providing a safe transit from the Penola bypass into town, which will have to be heavily considered,” Ms Hollick said.
Penola triathlon competitor Trish Brand echoed Ms Hollick’s support for the progression of Wattle Range’s 15km component of the trail, saying it would facilitate a safe training environment for runners and cyclists.
“At the moment I cycle along the highway, and we also ride on any of the bitumen roads that we can, but that has been made more and more difficult as time goes on,” she said.
“It can be dangerous with trucks and cars passing, and we have always been cautious of these issues.
“Because of this, we now have to time our rides to when it is typically quieter on the roads.
“We are thrilled to know we will have somewhere safe to exercise.”
Ms Brand – who lives near Father Woods Park – said once the trail is completed, she will be able to safely cycle to Penola and ensure an accurate training distance.
“I do hope that we will also see more people outside exercising and tourists utilising the facilities too,” she said.
