Council & Business
5 May, 2026
High cost noted in support for rail trail
Central Goldfields Shire Council gave their in-principal support to their preferred operating model of the future Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail last month.
Central Goldfields Shire Council gave their uncommitted support to the Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail last month while raising concerns in the projects high pricetag.
During April’s council meeting, councillors unanimously voted to give their in-principle support to their preferred operating model of the rail trial.
This did not identify the rail trail as a current council priority, nor did it commit council to future funding or operational responsibility.
The ongoing project proposes a 61 km shared-use trail along the disused rail corridor between Castlemaine and Maryborough.
Urban Enterprise was commissioned to identify the most suitable operating model for the completed rail trail.
Their pick, as well as the councillors, was joint council management between Central Goldfields and Mount Alexander Shire Council alongside an independent advisory committee.
This model meant councils would retain full executive authority but would require an ongoing operational and maintenance investment.
Whether they chose to reseal it or not the 25-year cost sits around $35 to $39 million requiring each council to budget more than $700,000 per year to maintain the trail sustainably.
That’s only after finding external funding, likely through state and federal grants, to cover the $37 million preliminary construction estimate.
But it’s the operational estimates that have been questioned by both councils and proved a “shock” for councillor Geoff Bartlett who said it “ain’t gonna happen” in the current financial climate.
“But if it’s only in-principle support, we’ve not committed any funds, it’s added to our advocacy documents in years to come, the governments got enough money to provide the grants, all good and proper but until that stage it was a bit of a shock to read that report,” he said.
Councillor Gerard Murphy said he was also concerned with the cost and needed more information.
“I’m a bit at a loss to it. I can’t say we can budget $700,000 a year and I can say Mount Alexander is probably the same,” he said.
Central Goldfields Shire Council are currently working to get out of deficit and need to identify $11 million in savings over the next four years to do so.
In the Draft Budget 2026/27 council said they “cannot build new infrastructure until we make sure our existing assets are properly maintained”.
Councillor Grace La Vella said the costs were currently “prohibitive” but said council weren’t talking about the near future.
“We’re not talking about next week, next month, next year. We’re talking into the future,” she said.
“If we fail to plan we plan to fail. That’s where we’re at now.”
According to the officer’s report, a feasibility study of the trail found it had potential to better connect the regions, promote active transport, and stimulate economic development through tourism and local business engagement.
Cr La Vella said the trail would benefit both councils.
“Just to cross it off would be irresponsible of us for a start. That’s all I have to say.”
The vote came about due to Castlemaine–Maryborough Rail Trail committee’s funding obligations to state government where they have to nominate a preferred operating model.
As a project partner, council were required to indicate their position through a formal resolution.