Woodend to Riddells Creek Shared Trail Project

The Macedon Ranges Shared Trails Feasibility Studies considered two opportunities for shared trails throughout the Macedon Ranges and on to Daylesford (Council's border at Tylden). The two opportunities are:

• Daylesford to Hanging Rock Shared Trails Feasibility Study(PDF, 9MB)
• Woodend to Riddells Creek Shared Trails Feasibility Study(PDF, 7MB)   

Trail funding 

In May 2020 the Victorian Government announced the $2.7 billion Building Works Package to build projects, create jobs and provide immediate benefit to support economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for communities across the state, many of which were also impacted by recent bushfires. Council was notified in late May 2020 that it would receive $8.75 million from this package for the Macedon Ranges Shared Trails Project (Woodend to Riddells Creek).

In July 2021, Council's original commitment of $1.1 million was increased by an additional $1.39 million to meet the total forecast cost of $11.24 million to develop the Woodend - Riddells Creek component of the shared trails. In 2024, this funding commitment was increased by an additional $1 million to assist in covering costs associated with planning complexities and subsequent delays.

The Project will establish three shared trails within the shire:

• Woodend to Macedon
• Macedon to New Gisborne
• New Gisborne to Riddells Creek

Individual sections of the trail will combine to form one longer trail about 22 kilometres long, linking rural landscapes, towns and heritage places, and provide links to existing and potential future trails in the region. The trails will be accessible and safe, encouraging shared, low-volume use across a range of abilities.

A strong emphasis will be on delivering socially, economically and environmentally sustainable trails, which protect, enrich and contribute to regional biodiversity and the protection of heritage values and rural character. A sustainable management model and trail management plan will be delivered with the project.

The trails will be designed and constructed to a high level of quality and durability, in accordance with relevant standards and regulations, extending the asset lifecycle and enabling Council to maintain the trails in a fiscally, environmentally and socially responsible way.

The project is forecast to cost $12.24 million to complete, funded with $8.75 million from the Victorian Government’s Building Works package, administered by Regional Development Victoria, with Council contributing the remaining $3.49 million.

Please note that this map reflects a broad proposed alignment of the trail and remains subject to change, as planning for the various stages progresses.

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Work is now underway on certain sections of the trail, with construction progressing in stages based on approvals given by land managers and other key stakeholders.

Since receiving funding and a first sod being turned in 2020, the project has faced a range of complications and delays obtaining necessary approvals required by relevant authorities, with subtle but necessary alignment amendments resulting in additional design work and lengthy planning approvals as a result of the changes.

Renewed resourcing and focus in 2024-25 has seen Council officers work with a range of stakeholders and land managers – including Traditional Owner groups, government authorities and private landowners – to finalise the remaining approvals required, with trail construction to progress in stages to reflect the different approvals required for different sections.

With the original length of the trail proposed at about 24 kilometres, a number of minor alignment changes have reduced the overall length to 21.67 kilometres (about 22 kilometres). Just over 2 kilometres of trail in the Woodend area (or about 10%) is now either completed, is under construction or has been approved for construction and is expected to be completed within this financial year, weather permitting, with final approvals continuing to be worked through for remaining sections of the trail.