Ararat Rural City councillors unanimously approved a planning permit application from the Grampians Peaks Trail on Tuesday.
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The Grampians Peaks Trail, jointly funded by the state and federal governments, will create single day or multi day hiking trails along the north-south length of the Grampians National Park.
Councillors were asked to approve “buildings and works associated with the use of land for camping and caravan park and informal outdoor recreation associated with the Grampians Peaks Trail”.
Cr Peter Beales said his previous experience in Kinglake had made him wary of bushfires and wanted to make sure a plan was in place.
A report to councillors stated that the Grampians Peaks Trail would have 12 Hiker Camps consisting of camping platforms, shelters and toilets between Mt Zero, Halls Gap, Mt William to Dunkeld.
The new trail would extend through Northern Grampians Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Council and Southern Grampians Shire Council.
The trail will be is subject to individual planning schemes and the Bushfire Management Overlays through each municipal area it crosses.
“Given the extreme bushfire risk of the Grampians National Park and the location of camp sites in some of the most remote and bushfire prone areas of Victoria significant weight is given to the state government’s risk reduction measures,” a report to councillors stated.