Woodend to Riddells Creek Shared Trail Project

Feasibility studies

Council responded to the community’s desire for safe walking and cycling opportunities with a key action of the 2017-2027 Council Plan to: “invest $1.1 million in planning, renewing and building new footpaths and cycling paths to improve access and community connections”. 

The Macedon Ranges Shared Trails Feasibility Studies project formed part of this action, and considered a number of opportunities for shared trails throughout the Macedon Ranges and on to Daylesford (Council's border at Tylden).

The studies explored and made recommendations for the development of enjoyable and safe shared-use trail links between major towns in the region, designed to encourage cycling, walking and running for people across a range of abilities. 

The studies presented estimates to deliver and maintain the trails, and outlined staged components that could be future ready for each of the following trails:

1. Daylesford (from our border at Tylden) to Woodend, Kyneton and Hanging Rock
2. Woodend to Macedon, New Gisborne and Riddells Creek 

Public exhibition of the draft studies in 2019 provided overwhelming support for the development of shared trails in the Macedon Ranges, with all feedback received being assessed and used to guide the final studies. 

Broad consultation with community group stakeholders, land owners and managers, authorities and the Macedon Ranges community was a key component in developing the studies and Council would like to thank all involved for their interest and input. 

Council resolved, at its meeting on 28 August 2019, to endorse both studies and to commence advocacy and funding efforts for the staged implementation and development of the trails. You can view the feasibility studies here:

• 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 - 8.5km
• Macedon to New Gisborne – 5.8km
• New Gisborne to Riddells Creek – 9km

Individual sections of the trail will combine to form one longer, 24-kilometre trail, 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.

A November 2024 update in the 'Latest updates' section below flags two minor proposed tweaks to the trail alignment.

(JPG, 9MB)

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.

As targeted in the Council Plan, the project is targeted for completion by December 2025, subject to weather conditions and finalising some remaining approvals.