NEW TRAIL BRINGS NATURE-BASED RECREATION TO TOURISTS AND LOCALS ALIKE

NEW TRAIL BRINGS

NATURE-BASED RECREATION

TO TOURISTS AND LOCALS ALIKE

The Macedon Ranges, located in Central Victoria, is well-known for its famous tourist attractions and country charm, which will only be enhanced with Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s new $11.24 million Woodend to Riddells Creek Shared Trail Project. The Shared Trail plans to not only boost tourism, but create a recreation space for the true lifeblood of the region – the locals.

The Shared Trail, which will run for 24km through key towns in the region, is anticipated to deliver an increase in visitors while also providing locals with a fantastic nature-based activity right on their doorstep.

The Shared Trail will provide a space for walking, running, low-volume cycling, and commuting; as well as linking rural landscapes, towns, heritage and the community.

The trail will meander its way through the scenic towns of Woodend, Macedon, New Gisborne and Riddells Creek, with minimal vehicle interaction.

Creating this space that is without heavy traffic gives locals and visitors a safe and convenient way to take in the natural beauty of the region, and experience the local hospitality and produce on offer in each of the townships.

Visitors may opt to complete the trail in one day or break it up into sections, enjoy some hospitality in local accommodation, and experience what else the region has on offer.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson, said the shared trail will provide the perfect opportunity for local residents to get out and enjoy what is on offer in their own backyard, as well as providing a major drawcard for visitors from near and far.

“The Macedon Ranges is only around 50 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, either a short drive up the Calder Highway or a convenient train ride straight to Woodend or Riddells Creek train stations where you can connect with the trail,” Mayor Anderson said.

“Visitors could easily make a day trip to the region to enjoy the trail, or take a short getaway, stay a few nights and really experience all that the Macedon Ranges has to offer.”

PLANNING THE SHARED TRAIL

At the beginning of the Shared Trail journey, a feasibility study was conducted in August 2019 – providing the results of community and stakeholder consultation, analysis of socio-economic benefits, and the development of concepts for the trail.

The study identified that demand for trails is predominantly driven by tourism (nature-based and adventure), physical activity and as a way for people to commute.

Community consultation identified the key priorities of the project were the provision of an enjoyable, safe, recreation, commuting, fitness and social trail experience.

The study identified that the Woodend to Riddells Creek Shared Trail Project should ensure future strong links between towns and services, such as schools and local businesses.

It also highlighted that the trail would aim to provide an opportunity for both locals and visitors to enjoy the local natural environment, unique landscape features and strong heritage of the region.

“The Macedon Ranges lends itself extremely well to a shared trail experience,” Mayor Anderson said.

“With an abundance of natural flora and fauna, iconic landmarks, rich heritage and amazing local produce it makes for a wonderful shared trail experience.”

Mayor Anderson explained that one difficulty in planning for the trail was deciding which areas to take the trail through, because “there are just so many to explore”.

PROGRESS SO FAR

Council awarded the construction contract of the 24km trail to local business Newearth Constructions in May 2022, taking the project a step closer to its realisation and creating further employment opportunities for locals.

As of October 2022, environmental assessments and designs showing the alignment of the trail are close to finalisation, bringing construction of the first phase of the trail closer – which is anticipated for early to mid-2023.

The project is currently scheduled for completion in March 2024.

MORE TO COME: COUNCIL’S POTENTIAL DAYLESFORD TO HANGING ROCK RAIL TRAIL

A proposal is also underway for a Daylesford to Hanging Rock Rail Trail, in partnership with Hepburn Shire Council.

The trail will provide another unique experience to the region, linking rural landscapes, towns and heritage through the Macedon Ranges areas of Hanging Rock, Woodend, Kyneton, Carlsruhe and Tylden, and then on to the neighbouring town of Daylesford in Hepburn Shire.

The section of trail Macedon Ranges Shire Council will be responsible for reaches from Tylden to Carlsruhe; from Carlsruhe to Kyneton; and from Carlsruhe to Woodend and into the iconic Hanging Rock.

It will comprise 37.2km of trail and is estimated to cost $18 million to deliver.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council CEO, Bernie O’Sullivan, said efforts were currently underway to advocate for the funding required to continue planning and pre-construction activities to realise such a significant project for the region.

“When combined with the Woodend to Riddells Creek Shared Trail Project, the Daylesford to Hanging Rock Rail Trail would offer another fantastic attraction for visitors to the region,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“An increase in tourism would provide a welcome boost to our local economy with both day trippers and those taking extended stays enjoying the region’s hospitality and shopping while exploring different areas of the shire.

“We are excited to be able to provide our residents with amazing outdoor nature activities close to home for them and their families to enjoy, providing another positive reason to call the Macedon Ranges home.”

BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL’S DIWALI LIGHTS COMPETITION DAZZLES LOCALS

By Kate Lockley, Blacktown City Council Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is India’s biggest day of the year, celebrating good triumphing over evil, storytelling and practising religious rituals. The festival title derived from the name of clay lamps lit outside the home, symbolising an inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. Embracing this cultural holiday, Blacktown City Council, known for its diverse community and large Hindu population, has held its annual Diwali Light Competition for 2022 – with the entries not disappointing.

Hosted by Blacktown City Council, the 2022 Diwali Lights Competition – an event that has grown in popularity since its inception in 2017 – has attracted scores of stunning entries.

The competition encourages residents to decorate their homes with lights embracing the ancient festival of Diwali – a five day festival marked by Hindus,

Sikhs and Jains, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.

Home to a vibrant and multicultural community, Blacktown City has a large

Hindu population, with more than 51,000 adherents.

Residents from India comprise the top country of birth in Blacktown City, following Australia, and now make up the fastest-growing migrant community.

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale

OAM, said the Diwali Lights Competition provided a fun way for residents of all cultures and faiths to celebrate the festival, which has become an increasingly significant celebration in recent years, alongside the growth in the Indian-Australian population.

“As Mayor, I am extremely proud of our diverse community in Blacktown City, and the Diwali Lights Competition is just one way Council encourages the wider community to come together and connect during this festive occasion,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“It is wonderful to speak to our residents from the subcontinent and hear their delight at the growing community interest in this special festival.

“These residents have told me of the importance of this competition in fostering a sense of ‘home’, and reminding them of celebrations in their home country.

“With our growing multicultural population, it is so important that we encourage participation in events that are important to our diverse communities and celebrate these occasions as a united City.”

THE WINNERS REVEALED

The 2022 competition saw two properties awarded the prestigious Overall City prize, with judges faced with a high standard of entries across Blacktown City.

Best Street was awarded to Phantom Street in Nirimba Fields, where eight properties decorated their homes.

Best Rangoli – colourful artworks made from sand, flower petals, flour or rice – was awarded to 5 Starling Street, Marsden Park, which also received second place in the Overall City prize.

This year’s top honours were awarded to Jitesh Kumar of Marsden Park and

Diwali lights in Marsden Park.

Ward Winners

Ward 1 – 5 Morell Crescent, Quakers Hill Ward 2 – 1 Haddon Close, Glenwood Ward 3 – 57 Hampton Crescent, Prospect Ward 4 – 5 Marin Place, Glendenning Ward 5 – 28 Wilcox Street, Marsden Park

Best Street

Phantom Street, Nirimba Fields

Overall City Winners

1st place - 28 Wilcox Street, Marsden Park 1st place - 57 Hampton Crescent, Prospect 2nd place - 5 Starling Street, Marsden Park 3rd place - 5 Morrell Crescent, Quakers Hill

Best Rangoli

5 Starling Street, Marsden Park

Roneel Kumar of Prospect, who were selected from more than 40 entries.

Joint winner Jitesh Kumar said he was thrilled to win, given it was only his second year taking part in the competition.

“I decided to go bigger this year after being named a finalist in last year’s competition,” he said.

“Last year there were only a few houses in our street that would decorate, but this year, we have about 15 homes with lights, and many of them have reached out to me and said I had encouraged them to take part.

“People told me I had the best lights in Elara (Marsden Park), but I never thought I would be number one in Blacktown.”

Jitesh said his stunning display attracted up to 200 visitors every night, with people travelling across Sydney to marvel at his work.

“Diwali is one of the great festivals for us of Hindu faith, so that’s why I wanted to get involved and let everyone know about our festival,” he said.

“People of all religions and cultures come to visit, so it is a great way for people to come together and connect.”

Roneel Kumar’s inspiration for his winning light display was sourced from around the globe, with dazzling lights custom-made during his travels to India and China.

Unlike Christmas lights, Diwali lights are not mass produced, so Roneel took it upon himself to design light motifs featuring the Om, lotus flower and oil lamp symbols.

“All the lights are of Hindu cultural significance. I would see things when I would travel overseas for work, and when I went to India and China, I would put my ideas to paper, but it took many iterations to get it right,” he said.

With the help of his father-in-law, Roneel spent countless weekends decorating the Prospect property, using a large steel structure to erect the lights from.

Roneel, a regular and successful competition entrant, said his light decorations began as a small affair more than a decade ago, when he wanted to recreate Fijian Diwali celebrations for his wife.

“When we migrated to Australia 11 years ago, I started small with the lights as my wife would miss the Diwali lights and celebrations we had back home,” he said.

“Now it’s amazing to see Diwali celebrations across Blacktown and Parramatta.

“We have lots of non-Hindus come to appreciate our lights and we have cars queuing with people wanting to take photos of our lights.

“There’s definitely a lot more awareness of Diwali now and Blacktown City is a really multicultural Council, so it’s great to be a part of this. I’m proud to be from Blacktown.”

HIGH STAKES: JUDGING THE COMPETITION

First-time judge Charu Vij, from Indian Link News, said it was amazing to see the commitment of the entrants to decorating their homes.

“The standard of the houses is extremely high, and the joint winners in particular put on an amazing show,” Ms Charu said.

“As a judge, I looked for properties that had a theme, told a story or featured a unique or custom idea.

“One of the winners, for example, had small children who dressed up as gods and goddesses and greeted us on the night, so this was a real stand out and helped set them apart from the competition.”

Ms Charu said it was heartening to see how Diwali had been accepted and adopted by the broader community.

“Diwali is very important for all Indian families and is the biggest festival of the year for us, like Christmas,” Ms Charu said.

“It’s lovely to know Diwali is no longer just an Indian festival and everyone is coming together and celebrating it together.”

Diwali lights in Prospect.

DIGITAL TWINS: FAST-TRACKING URBAN DEVELOPMENT THE SMART WAY

As urban development skyrockets to keep up with rising populations, councils must ensure construction works are as streamlined as possible. Project delays often stem from councils not having an all encompassing overview of the site’s subsurface utility information; but this issue can be remedied with a smart innovative solution – commissioning a digital twin to model the subsurface.

Councils risk wasting millions of dollars and delaying critical infrastructure projects if they begin construction without properly collecting subsurface utility information early in the design phase.

This is why Wellington City Council, located in New Zealand, have commissioned a world-first subsurface digital twin to model its city’s underground utilities.

UP-TO-DATE DATA IS CRUCIAL

Most local governments have poor visibility into the state of their subsurface infrastructure.

Network and utility owners are reluctant to share accurate, up-to-date data on their subsurface assets, and unlike the above-ground environment, information on the subsurface is difficult and costly to acquire.

Inaccurate information about the subsurface is linked to project cost overruns and timeframe blowouts across the world.

In New Zealand, a recent cycleway project lost 194 working days due to the discovery of buried power, gas and telecommunications lines that were previously undocumented.

Closer to home, a post-mortem report on the Sydney Light Rail scheme found the project could have been built 1.5 years quicker if reliable underground utility information had been available.

LOOKING UNDERGROUND TO BUILD THE FUTURE

Wellington City Council’s subsurface digital twin pilot aims to solve this problem.

Wellington City Council commissioned Reveal, experts in geophysics, utility surveying, project management, engineering, and 3D modelling, to proactively map the underground of the city’s CBD and combine the resulting rich information into a digital twin.

The digital twin is shared with Council’s stakeholders across a range of planning, design and construction functions.

Wellington City Council Network Activity Manager, Denise Beazely, said, “We have a burning platform to enable our capital city to grow, be more resilient and meet our climate goals.

“Having more reliable information on the location of underground assets is a critical part of enabling our capital city to grow faster, safer, more efficiently and cost effectively.”

RESULTS AND BENEFITS

This proactive mapping effort has already delivered positive results, with Reveal able to find several voids below the road surface of Jervois Quay that posed a danger to traffic, as well as to critical infrastructure.

Wellington City Council engineers were able to quickly respond and repair the damage, while minimising the impact on the community and businesses.

LONG-TERM COST SAVING

In a global survey of infrastructure projects by Geo.works, the availability of subsurface information produced unprecedented cost and time savings: bid reductions of ten per cent, schedule reductions of 30 per cent, and labour reductions of 50 per cent, along with zero delays, damages, or change orders.

“Based on a proof-of-concept trial in London conducted by Les Guest Associates, it was estimated that construction costs could be reduced by ten per cent to 25 per cent if the location of all underground infrastructure and subsurface conditions were known in advance of construction,” Geo.works said.

With the price tag on major infrastructure projects often running into the hundreds of millions of dollars, it’s clear that accurate subsurface information can be a massive cost and time saver for city operators.

Especially as local governments have been tasked with undertaking major infrastructure upgrades to adapt to climate change, reduce carbon emissions and deal with urban intensification over the coming decades.

Proactive subsurface risk management can yield massive savings if undertaken early, and can deliver savings to ratepayers, reduce the impact on citizens, and deliver prosperous, sustainable development outcomes.