The trail was constructed as part of a Stawell Secondary College project with the leadership of resident John Pye. The project had initial support from the state government and Powercor.

Northern Grampians Councillor Murray Emerson said the project was in the works for several years and was now at the stage where it needed a community of interested people to help manage the trail. 

“It has been going on for seven or eight years – or more – and now it needs concerned community people like John Pye and the StawellBiz organisation, who have taken the project on, to get a group of interested people from our community to drive the trail,” he said. 

Cr Emerson said the council would not manage the trail, but would help the group driving the project to seek funding. He said the trail had “enormous” potential to provide economic and tourism benefits.

“What it would mean in the long run is a walking and bike trail from Stawell to Heatherlie, which in turn can connect up to the trails out in the Grampians,” he said. 

“And also vice versa – it will provide a bike trail for people who come from Halls Gap into Stawell.”

John Pye said people interested in becoming part of the Friends of Grampians Rail Trail could call him on 0432 867 387.

“It has been a long and difficult journey since 300 Stawell Secondary School students constructed most of the track, but we are ready to make it a reality,” he said.