Input sought on regional trails plan

The public comment period for a masterplan which aims to bring world-class trails to the Great Southern over the next decade closes on Sunday.

The draft Great Southern Regional Trails Master Plan considers trails for hiking, cycling, paddling, snorkelling, and mountain bike riding, and trails to link heritage and cultural sites.

There is still time for people to have their say and influence which trails are developed across 11 local government areas in the region.

Among the short-term proposals are mountain bike trails at Tower Hill in Mt Barker, a Walpole and Nornalup Inlets marine park paddle experience and a Great Southern treasures circuit for hiking, paddling and cycling.

Medium-term proposals include cycling and hiking trails at Albany Heritage Park, a Greens Pool to Lights Beach coastal hiking trail, a hiking trail from Albany’s Historic Whaling Station to The Gap, and mountain bike trails in Porongurup.

Two of the long-term ideas are a Stirling Range valleys cycle touring trail and amassive grain trail linking Kojonup, Tambellup, Gnowangerup, Ongerup, Katanning and Pingrup.

Great Southern Centre for Outdoor Recreation Excellence executive director Lenore Lyons said the plan had been developed to guide decisions about investment and management of trails in the region.

“We’re keen to hear from a broad range of people with an interest in outdoor recreation and trails in the region, as well as organisations and agencies from across relevant industries,” she said.

“We encourage these groups to bring informed comment to the table, so we can ensure that the full range of interests are accurately represented in planning.”

Shires in the region have hosted discussions.

The draft is available on the GSCORE website. Email comments to trails@gscore.com.au.