The first 400-metre granitic sand section of the Plenty River Trail project near the Red Gum picnic area is complete.
This area is in the first stage of the four-stage $19.3 million project at Hawkestowe, where works on the accessible toilet and the shelters have started.The main parts of these structures will be made off-site and will be installed in the coming months.
The Hawkstowe section is due to be finished in mid-2024. Other sections of the trail will be built with crushed rock, asphalt and concrete.
Construction of the northern section is planned to begin in late 2024 and includes the trail from Mernda to the Hawkstowe picnic area and two new lookouts (Lone Pine lookout and Carome Homestead lookout).
Parks Victoria is completing cultural heritage and environmental assessments for the central and southern sections.
These sections include construction of the trail from the Hawkstowe picnic area to the southern end of the park, where it will join an existing path close to the Metropolitan Ring Road. These assessments will guide the scope and timing of delivery.
The trail through Plenty Gorge will travel from Doreen to University Hill.
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.