General News
24 October, 2025
Trail feedback opens
Central Goldfields and Mount Alexander Shire residents are invited to provide feedback on the Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail draft design.
The trail is proposed to repurpose 61 km of disused rail corridor between Castlemaine and Maryborough, passing through Carisbrook, Moolort, Newstead, Strangways, Guildford and Campbells Creek.
The project began the pre-construction phase earlier this year and is expected to be finished by June 2026. It will lead directly into construction of the trail, pending funding for the works.
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said the current stage brings a new opportunity for the community to provide feedback.
“Following the completion of a feasibility study in 2023, which included initial community engagement, this current phase will bring the trail design closer to readiness for approval and to seek funding for construction,” she said.
The pre-construction phase is expected to lay the foundation of the project including preparing detailed designs, environmental and cultural heritage investigations, and engineering design for road crossings and heritage bridges.
It also includes providing cost estimates for the trail construction and developing an operational model to support the ongoing management of the rail trail.
“This stage is important because it’s an opportunity for residents to learn more about the project, view the designs and provide their feedback,” Cr La Vella said.
“I encourage residents to get involved by either visiting the website or attending the in-person consultation sessions planned for Maryborough and Carisbrook in November.”
From late October and throughout November residents have multiple opportunities to provide their feedback.
They can attend one of six in-person consultation sessions:
Thursday, October 30, 4 to
6 pm at the Carisbrook Market Reserve.
Saturday, November 1, 10 am to 12 pm at the Maryborough Railway Station.
Thursday, November 6, 4 to
6 pm at the Campbells Creek Community Centre.
Saturday, November 8, 10 am to 12 pm at the Newstead Community Centre.
Saturday, November 8, 1 to
3 pm at the Guildford Community Hall.
Saturday, November 15,
10 am to 12 pm next to the Castlemaine Market Building.
Residents can review the draft design and share their feedback online at www.cmrailtrail.org.au/
community-and-landholder-consultation
They can also email their feedback to railtrailfeedback@
cmrailtrail.org.au
Details of all engagement activities are available online at www.cmrailtrail.org.au/community-and-landholder-consultation
Residents can also get further information from the Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail team at railtrailfeedback@cmrailtrail.org.au
The pre-construction phase is led by Castlemaine–Maryborough Rail Trail Inc., with support from the Victorian State Government’s Enabling Tourism Fund, Central Goldfields Shire Council, and Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Central Goldfields Shire has committed $40,000 to the project across two years alongside project management assistance and in-kind support.