The Grampians Peaks Trail is set to become Victoria's premier long distance walk.
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Deputy Premier, Peter Ryan, was in Halls Gap last week and announced that a re-elected Victorian Coalition Government was committed to investing $10 million to support further development of the trail.
Mr Ryan joined Minister for Environment Ryan Smith and The Nationals candidate for Lowan Emma Kealy at Halls Gap to make the $10 million pre-election commitment.
"Today is a great day for the local communities of Halls Gap, Dunkeld, Wartook and Roses Gap, as well as Stawell, Ararat and the broader region," Mr Ryan said.
"We have committed $10 million to extend this trail to deliver what will become a magnificent tourism drawcard for the region, Victoria and Australia.
"Nature based tourism is a rapidly growing market and an investment such as this will further enhance this region as a leader in offering great nature based tourist opportunities.
"I look forward to returning in the next term of government to announce that our $10 million investment is available and ready to be spent."
Mr Smith took the opportunity to release the final Master Plan for the Grampians Peaks Trail, which had been available for public consultation since May and would guide how the $10 million commitment would be spent.
"Our $10 million commitment will deliver 23 kilometres of new track and five new camps - at Rosea, Barbican, Mount William, Stockyard Saddle and Yarram Gap," Mr Smith said.
"We will also be seeking a matching investment of $10 million from the Commonwealth Government's $1 billion Stronger Regions Fund to further extend this trail, as well as talking to local governments about their ability to co-invest in the project.
"The Coalition Government believes strongly that this project will not only deliver significant tourism benefits for this region and Victoria, but will become a significant international tourism drawcard for Australia, and that is why we have a further $10 million on the table."
Ms Kealy strongly welcomed the $10 million commitment, which she said was a game-changer for the region.
"This project will create 170 full time jobs in construction and then operation, attract an additional 86,000 visitor nights to the region annually and generate $6.4 million in tourism spending directly attributed to the trail each year," Ms Kealy said.
"Securing investments such as this shows the Coalition Government is more than just talk, it is willing to invest to deliver meaningful outcomes."