Funding for Omeo’s multi-million dollar Mountain Bike Trail had no mention in this week’s State Budget papers.

Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull said the funding was promised by the then Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford from the Labor Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund and was earmarked for development of a business case and to build the first stage of the new mountain bike trail.

“The $1m was far less than the $1.5m promised by the Coalition and came weeks after our announcement, but nevertheless it was welcomed,” said Mr Bull.

“However, when the budget papers were released there was no mention of this project at all, which I found peculiar as many other smaller projects around the state were listed.

“I then used my first opportunity in the Parliament to ask the Minister to confirm the money is in fact there. I have no idea whether it was forgotten or simply left out.

“The Omeo Mountain Bike Trail project has funding commitments of $1.52 million from the East Gippsland Shire and $1.5 million from the Federal Government, so we need the state money for it to proceed.

“Following my question in Parliament, the new Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes has one month to respond, but I would hope it can be much quicker,” said Mr Bull. 

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull, pictured with East Gippsland Shire Mayor, Councillor Natalie O’Connell, project steering committee member Jill Hill and Councillor Joe Rettino at the site of the proposed Omeo Mountain Bike Trail.