Loddon Tracks and Trails Strategy - Loddon Shire Council

8.6 Trail Surface
The type of surface used on a trail is highly dependent upon its grading and should refer
to the relevant standards for trail construction. A Level One shared cycling / walking
trail, for instance, is likely to have a sealed surface made of asphalt or concrete, or a
compacted surface such as granitic sand (with grade two or three crushed rock as the
base). It will be designed for people of all abilities, including people in wheelchairs, using
motorized scooters or using walking frames. Level Three and Four trails are likely to
feature 20mm class 4 crushed rock where required as the base. Conversely, a Level
Five walking / cycling trail is likely to have an unformed trail that has not modified the
natural environment in any way.
8.7 Trail Width
On Level One and Two Level shared cycling / walking paths, the preference is for a trail
width of between two and three metres to allow people to travel side by side and to allow
someone coming from the other direction to pass easily. Given that trails in Loddon
Shire are not likely to be as heavily utilised as trails in other areas, e.g. Melbourne
Capital City Trail or Mountains to Murray Trail in the north-east of the state, it may be
acceptable in some instances to reduce the width of some trails to allow for easier
construction. As most trails will be built using a bobcat to clear the path, a width of 1.8
metres will be relatively easy to achieve as that is the width of a bobcat’s tray. Wherever
possible, however, the preference is for a wider trail to reduce the potential for trail
conflict. Trails on Level Three, Four and Five paths may be less wide than the preferred
two to three metres. Horse riding trails require a minimum of 2.5 metres for a single lane
trail.
8.8 Amenities
A range of amenities should be provided along trails so that users are provided with a
comfortable experience where possible. Access to toilets and picnic areas should be
provided in each town and at each major attraction, e.g. Melville Caves, Mt Terrick
Terrick, Little Lake Boort, etc. Shaded rest stops (i.e. trees) should be considered along
all trails and seats provided according to the grade of the trail. Where bins are placed at
picnic areas, they should be placed in discrete positions (which are still accessible to
rubbish trucks), but should not dominate the landscape at the trail entry point (as is
currently the case with some trails in the Shire).
A more contentious requirement is the need to access drinking water along tracks and
trails. However there are both practical and public liability concerns associated with this
including:
• contamination of water by vandals
• tanks emptied by campers
• tanks emptied due to lack of rain
• the need to regularly inspect tanks
• users expecting to be able to access water when there is none
• the need to purchase water to top up tanks
• shops selling bottled water in towns not open
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