Community
15 July, 2026
Shire to push for $750,000 trail expansion
CORANGAMITE Shire will seek $750,000 in state government backing to expand the Port Campbell to Princetown Trail as part of this year’s election priorities.
Councillors unanimously agreed at the recent Ordinary Meeting of Council on the shire’s three main advocacy priorities ahead of the upcoming Victorian State Election.
The projects include a $750,000 pitch for the extension as part of the Port Campbell to Princetown Trail Planning.
Also included was a $2.6 million pitch for stage one of the Skipton Community and Recreation Hub and $2.78 million for stages one and two of the Camperdown Production Precinct.
Councillors also endorsed an in-principle priority for planning and energy policy reform, which requires further development before being publicly released.
Chief executive officer David Rae was authorised to finalise the Planning and Energy Policy Reform priority.
Councillor Ruth Gstrein, as mover of the motion, said the expansion of the Port Campbell to Princetown Rail Trail would provide a significant boost as the $126 million Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre nears completion.
“The Port Campbell to Princetown Rail Trail is the obvious extension to where the rail trail currently finishes in Port Campbell,” she said.
“We know what sort of activation that’s going to bring to that particular precinct, particularly with the Visitor Experience Centre as well – trying to encourage people to use bikes rather than driving out there will be important.
“The Skipton Recreation Reserve has been on our books for a number of years and it’s been a major priority for Skipton for goodness knows how many years – six, seven, eight years.
“It’s a much bigger project so by breaking it down to a $2.6 million ask, I think it’s more achievable.”
Cr Gstrein said the election priorities were strategic, with an emphasis placed on getting “all the ducks lined up in a row to make the projects ready to go” to ensure the best chances of receiving funding.
“The Camperdown Production Precinct I think we’re looking at $31 million, overall, for that project,” she said.
“Those sorts of dollars are very hard to come by at state or federal level.
“It’s about getting all the ducks lined up to make those projects start – but they’re ready to go, which is great.
“I think council is making the right decision having smaller, more accessible and more doable projects rather than very big-ticket items.
“We know dollars are very tight at the state level and they’re getting harder and harder to come by, so I think it’s smart to break these projects up.”
Deputy mayor councillor Laurie Hickey said the priorities were all about regional development.
“The policies put forward have massive community benefit,” he said.
“It’s always a wise process, or a wise plan, to have to actually have projects that are ready to go when we ask for money from the government.
“The Port Campbell to Princetown Rail Trail is an obvious extension to the trail we’ve already invested heavily in.
“With Skipton, there’s really just a need for a recreational hub up there and a community hub as well, to help bring that town together into one modern place.
“The Camperdown Production Precinct is very close to my heart, it’s been a great project so far and does need some stimulation at the moment but it’s still there, is investment-ready and certainly open for business there.”
What projects or issues do you think should be prioritised in Corangamite Shire ahead of the 2026 State Election?
Send us an email at ctctimes@wdnews.com.au or phone 5593 1888 to have your say.
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