Friends of East Gippsland Rail Trail

Meeting 2/2010 held May 10th at Mingling Waters, NowaNowa

  1. Attendance: Keith Law, Marlene Robb, Mike Ryan, Geoff Preston, Janice Preston, Liz Mitchell, Eddie Slatter, David Perry, Sue Peirce, Michael Oxer, David Priestly [guest],

Apologies: Andrew Sharpe, Norm and Lorraine Broad.

  1. Business arising from previous minutes
  2. Bikes on V-line trains and buses- there are difficulties is establishing a policy for travel with bikes on trains and buses. A trial has been conducted on Ballarat line where a sprinter train operates and Sth Gippsland with a bus service. The bikes go on a trailer at no extra cost. Places must be pre booked. BV set up a booking system on line for the trial. This trial is now being evaluated.
  3. Fire Management Plan has been modified with regard to closure on fire risk days. The trail will be closed on code RED days, there will be notices on various entry points on the trail.
  4. Treasurers report:

Balance end of April$3604

Accounts approved for payment

Stationary $80

Broadacres Plant Nursery $97.50

  1. Newsletter – next edition due 3 weeks before AGM [August 8th ] Articles to Marlene before the end of June.
  2. Website Keith has rebuilt website so it is now easier to navigate and change.
  3. Committee of management
  4. Correctional Services been piling up dead black wattles – big effort from locals from Giles St Wiseleigh to cut down trees. The piles will be burnt – those from Bairnsdale to Nicholson by Sarsfield CFA.
  5. $6500 from DSE used to improve trail crossing points – gates installed, chicanes and gravel and seal some of the entry points. Areas include Pages, Kettle, Sarsfield, Stevensons, Morrisons Rds. It was noted these improvements were in the same area. It was suggested any particular points which need attention let COM know.
  6. East Gippsland Shire Council provided $25,000 for website, promotion, publicity and events. Many thanks to Keith for upgrading the website.
  7. East Gippsland tourist brochure omitted the rail trail – this will be rectified and they will print some information in the next edition. Will take out advertisement in this book.
  8. Map for folks to print from website – work done by Orbost Sec College needs some editing. Maybe able to get arrangement with Rail Trail Australia – being investigated.
  9. Events – 3 day cycling fun event based in NowaNowa for Cup W/e.
  10. BV will pay for printing and distribution of 20,000 Rail Trail brochures to BV members.
  11. Promotion – plan that EGRT COMwill have stand at Bicycle Show at Showgrounds Aug 22 and 23. Discussion that this should be East Gippsland cycling promotion. Ideas include prize for example 3 day visit to trail. Contact Council as tourism officers may be able to assist. Other ideas suggested included car stickers, [David P to follow up], certificates of completion.
  12. Telstra – DSE still looking at details with licence fee arrangement.
  13. Membership

New member application – Dot Rule – approved.

  1. Activities
  2. July 11th ride from Bruthen to Log Crossing via Mississippi track. Leave 10 am from Bruthen main street. Contact Sue Peirce 51 56 8228
  3. Sept – date to be finalised Marlene will organise ride from Orbost
  4. Nov 8th Nicholson to Bumberrah – to coincide with meeting. 5pm from Nicholson Jetty. Contact Sue Peirce 5156 8228
  5. Burn Rd – much improved. Weeding done by Keith and Marlene and mulch [provided by Council via Mark Taylor,]and spread by Correctional services, and plant growth has transformed this area. Some additional plants been offered and Marlene will organise to get these in the ground. Representative on site and discussed ongoing action and funding. Application sent for next stage of funding – no response yet.
  6. NowaNowa Mountain Bike Track and BMX track

Officially opened in April by Mayor Michael Freshwater. All tracks are in place but only track 2 completed with lots of features. All funds have been spent and looking at innovative ways of getting more added to other tracks.

Regional Development Victoria may be able to find other funding forNowaNowa– planning for the Toorloo Arm Track – which would form stage 1 of East coast walking track, is underway. Mike to keep us posted.

  1. Other items:
  • Seat at Giles Street area – now this area has been cleaned up good location for seat looking down Tambo Valley. Moved that the Friends purchase a seat from Mitchell River Rotary and install.
  • Story Boards – Marlene has completed 3 and discussion on the style of information board designed for Now a Nowa Mountain Bike may be a solution to a cost effective method of erecting these. Mike to send details to MO.
  • Bus route – finally David has approval and can advertise a regular 3rd Sunday of the month service. There will be signs in 4 locations –David to discuss with MO funding from promotion fund.

Timetable every 3rd Sunday

Leave Orbost at 2pm, NowaNowa at 2.30, Bruthen 3.00 to arrive Bairnsdale at 3.30.

At 3.45 will travel Bairnsdale to Orbost. Will cost $25 /head. Information will be on Perry’s website and FEGRT website.

David has hadexcellent and on going support from bike shops and BV and East Gippsland Shire Council to make this service possible.

  • How to make trail more visitor friendly on stretch NowaNowa to Orbost. Suggestions included information boards eg flora and fauna information – Janice and Marlene to explore some ideas. Perhaps more seating, signs where can come off the trail to Newmerella or distance and location of highway.
  • Comment that 112 emergency number only enhances mobile cover – if there is no cover then 112 does not work.
  • Location – where is the trail! Still difficult for newcomers to get to trail from Bairnsdale, Orbost and NN. Need fingerboard signs and put up everywhere! Vic roads brown signs could be an option now COM has some funds.
  • Regrowth of black wattles a problem – will try to get Correctional services
  • Thanks to Eddie for clearing to improve vision from Preston’s Rd
  • Thanks to Mike for feeding us!
  1. Next meeting AGM at Bruthen at 2pm