Minister officially opening local commemorative trail
| 4 April 2017 |
The small town of Halbury will encounter political and community activity as Minister Leon Bignell, Recreation & Sport and Tourism, officially opens the Shamus Liptrot Cycling Trail.
The official opening will commence on Tuesday 4 April at 12pm on Cross Street in Halbury.
The trail was developed in memory of talented local cyclist Shamus Liptrot. The Balaklava community worked together to fundraise an extension of the Balaklava trail from the Balaklava Golf Course to Halbury - formulating a truly amazing example of a community led project.
Following enormous fundraising efforts and a grant of $105,000 from the Office for Recreation and Sport (State Government) the Shamus Liptrot Cycling Trail Committee, Green Army, Balaklava Area Committee and Wakefield Regional Council collaborated to finalise the extension of the Shamus Liptrot Cycling Trail. The project was completed in early December 2016 with success.
Mayor Reid commented, “The trail is significant in both its meaning and purpose, and truly reflects our community values.”
Geoff Brock, Member for Frome said, ““The journey between Balaklava and Halbury will provide cyclists with an opportunity to enjoy the countryside in this area and I congratulate the Balaklava community working together to achieve this monumental Cycling Trail”.
The Trail Committee will continue to plan interpretive signage and a shaded area for Halbury and to eventually link to other trails in the region. Ultimately the trail could connect with the Riesling and Rattler Trails in Auburn and Walk the Yorke Trail in Port Wakefield which was extended courtesy of the Yorke Peninsula Council into the Port Wakefield Township.
Council has eagerly supported the project since construction in 2012, particularly in the latter stages by facilitating grants and resource requirements.
The trail has become a wonderful attraction and investment for the Balaklava area offering parkland and resting picnic areas on the scenic outskirts of Balaklava - a truly momentous acknowledgement for a well-respected local sportsman.