Businesses invited aboard passport project

Businesses that are near the Great Southern Rail Trail are being invited to become collection points for its recently launched stamp passport.

South Gippsland Shire Council issued the call on Friday, August 21, about six weeks after the $140,000 Great Southern Rail Trail Activation Project was officially launched.

The passport was designed to encourage trail users to collect stamps as they travel through 21 stops along the 130km trail between Nyora and Yarram.

Now Council wants more places where visitors can pick one up.

To be eligible, businesses must be located within three kilometres of the rail trail and open at least five days each week, including one weekend day.

They must always be willing to display promotional material supplied by Council.

Participating businesses will be listed as passport pickup locations on the Great Southern Rail Trail website, which will hopefully bring trail users into their businesses as they travel through the region.

Passports are currently available from seven locations, including Coal Creek in Korumburra, the South Gippsland Citizens Advice Bureau and council offices in Leongatha, along with visitor information centres in Foster, Maffra and Yarram.

The Port of Sale also stocks them.

South Gippsland Mayor Cr Nathan Hersey said the trail attracted thousands of visitors every year and helps to support the region’s economy.

“People come to experience the Trail, stay in our towns and spend money in our local businesses,” Cr Hersey said.

“The passport has been created to encourage users to pause and take a piece of our region with them wherever they go.”

Eastern Victoria MP Tom McIntosh said the new attractions would encourage visitors to stop in local towns.

“People can come in, get amongst nature, but spend money in country towns,” he said.

“The more things we have along the way for people to stop at and enjoy, the better.”

The passport formed just one part of the Great Southern Rail Trail Activation Project, which was officially unveiled on July 10.

Its 21 stamps are housed in boxes designed to resemble miniature train carriages, paying tribute to the route’s history as a railway.

Local Men’s and Women’s Shed groups built the boxes and each carriage was personalised for its specific location.

The groups involved came from Nyora, Korumburra, Leongatha and Meeniyan, as well as Sandy Point, Corner Inlet and Yarram.

Meeniyan Men’s Shed member Greg Kuhne previously said building some of the carriages had been rewarding.

“It’s good to take part in the community and do things that can help,” he said.

The activation project also delivered a two-kilometre Koonwarra Biodiversity Walk and new features that highlight local flora and fauna.

Public artwork was also added.

Christabel Wigley’s ‘Outside In’, a timber and steel listening space inspired by the Strzelecki Gum, incorporates fallen timber from the Mirboo North storms.

The project as a whole received $100,000 from the Regional Development Victoria Fund and another $40,000 from the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority.

Cr Hersey encouraged businesses near the rail trail to consider taking part.

“I encourage local businesses to consider hosting these Passports and get to know the people travelling our Rail Trail, which can also be a draw card to attract customers through your business’ front door,” he said.

Businesses can submit an expression of interest through the Great Southern Rail Trail website at www.gsrt.com.au/gsrt-passport.