- Minister for Regional Development
Mountain bike enthusiasts will soon have new tracks and trails in Forrest thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government that will rejuvenate existing tracks and establish new world-class tracks.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes was in Forrest today to announce $500,000 for the first stage of the town’s Mountain Bike Revitalisation Project under the Labor Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Stage One of the Forrest Mountain Bike Revitalisation Project will deliver new mountain bike trails and rejuvenate existing signature trails to create a network of world-class experiences and build on the recreational tourism assets in the township and surrounding areas.
This year’s Regional Infrastructure Fund was advertised through a competitive round-based process, to ensure that high quality projects receive the support they need to deliver much needed infrastructure to regional towns with grants of up to $500,000 available to councils and council-sponsored projects.
The Regional Infrastructure Fund is part of the Labor Government’s flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund which helps businesses create more jobs in regional Victoria, supports community projects and assists councils to build the infrastructure locals need.
The Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund is a cornerstone of the Government’s record $2.6 billion ‘Delivering for Regional and Rural Victoria Program’ unveiled in last year’s State Budget.
The investment is delivering quality education, health, transport and record jobs and keeping the unemployment rate for regional Victoria the lowest regional rate in the country.
Information and guidelines for the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund are available at rdv.vic.gov.au.
As noted by Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
“Delivering more world-class tracks and trails for mountain bike enthusiasts just adds even more reason to visit and spend time in the Otway Ranges.”
“We’re proud to back these upgrades in Forrest that we know will mean so much to the local community.”
As stated by Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“This investment is so important for tourism to the region and that means good news for our local economy.”
