Projects
Murray to Mountains and High Country Rail Trails: business case

Successful business case helps shape one of Australia’s premier cycle tourism destinations.

We prepared a business case for Regional Development Victoria showing why a range of investments in North East Victoria’s rail-trail network was needed. Our business case was used to apply for grant funding and to demonstrate the network’s benefits to the region and the community.

Our feasibility analysis of rail-trail investments included an assessment of proposed trail options and their conformity to government policy, as well as an assessment of the socio-economic situation of the surrounding areas. We also looked at best-practice trail construction and management in Europe, North America and New Zealand.

We performed an analysis of the market and the likely demand for the network’s trails. We undertook an economic impact assessment to measure the degree to which visitor spending would influence economic activity levels within the region and drive local employment. Our cost-benefit analysis compared the costs of the trail (construction and maintenance) with the financial benefits (visitor spending) and the wider social and environmental benefits.

Our work also included an assessment of funding opportunities for the trail and a project risk analysis.

Today, the Murray to Mountains and High Country Rail Trails are fast becoming Australia’s premier cycle tourism destinations.