UPPER MURRAY

GREAT RIVER ROAD

 This document is one of a series
that provides ideas and concepts for
implementing the UM2030 community vision.

It is intended as a roadmap to guide

community activity and encourage
collaboration between the proposed Upper
Murray community board, governments,
the private sector, service providers and
authorities.

The concepts and ideas were developed in

response to community priorities as outlined
in the UM2030 Masterplan. Most will require
further refinement and testing to their
feasibility and viability.

View along the Murray River from the Great River Road
UM2030 GREAT RIVER ROAD WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE?
The Upper Murray 2030 Vision Plan is a community The purpose of this document The Great River Road was highlighted as a key
planning project which set the scene for the future of the is to describe the upgrades opportunity by the Upper Murray community during
Upper Murray Region. required in order to promote the consultation. Upgrading and promoting this route
existing Murray River Road as has the potential to:
The directions of UM2030 have been firmly driven by
the ‘Great River Road’ touring
the community. This documents supports the UM2030 • Create an iconic drive to rival the Great Ocean
route.
objectives: Road

Access to environmental and landscape assets supports • Add to the existing tourism product
their enjoyment and protection
• Provide knock on economic benefits for the
The Upper Murray is well connected, both digitally and wider Upper Murray
physically, supporting the prosperity and wellbeing of the • Allow people to witness and explore the unique and
region breathtaking scenery that defines the Upper Murray
region between Bellbridge and Khancoban.
Tourists are welcomed to the Upper Murray; tourist
amenities are well signposted, well maintained and
provide benefit for the local community
THE GREAT RIVER ROAD

The Upper Murray portion of the Murray River Road
commences at Bellbridge in the west and stretches
from Albury to Khancoban, following the curves and
bends of the Murray River. The most spectacular
experiences are found along the stretch between
Burrowye and Tintaldra and the area near Lake
Hume. Many windings parts of the road unfold to
reveal views unique to this section of the Murray
River. The road offers the best touring experience
of the Murray River with views unique to the Upper
Murray mountains and valleys, and the spectacular
snowy mountains as the backdrop. The road links a
number of smaller villages such as Walwa, Jingellic,
and Tintaldra which make for pleasant stopovers.
and offers a unique viewing experience to see the
landscape features that define the region. It could be
implemented cost effectively by introducing:
• Branded signage
• Facilities including lookouts, BBQs, boat ramps,
camping spots
• Gateway features
A WIDE BENEFIT
Locating ‘Great River Road’ directional signage
along the Hume Highway would bring attention to
this alternative route and lead visitors into the Upper
Murray Region via Holbrook and Jingellic.
experience which will leverage links to the major
regional centre of Albury/Wodonga and assist in
drawing travellers from the Hume Highway to the
region. The route will deliver a number of economic
benefits, including: increased visitation, disperse
visitors and visitor expenditure through the region,
increase the length of stay of visitors in the region,
and stimulate investment opportunities for other
tourism facilities to leverage from the touring route
(e.g. farm gate sales).

The re-naming of the Murray River Road to the
Great River Road would highlight the spectacular
nature of the views and experiences available
along this touring route. Potential exists to gradually
expand the route by upgrading signage and
amenities.
The road passes through a number of towns which
could benefit from additional visitation. Tintaldra
is one key gateway to this touring experience and
could be improved through gateway treatments
along the Murray River Road / Main Street and Main
Road intersection.

AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE
The Great River Road project would enhance the
experience of driving this route. The road connects
the Upper Murray region to its surrounds, however
this portion of the road is particularly spectacular
The road would also highlight access to the plethora
of natural attractions within the Upper Murray,
including the Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park
and recreational activities along the river itself.
The Great River Road will provide a unique touring

­4 © 2016
 West Section

To Holbrook

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© 2016 5
 EXISTING SITUATION

The plan on the following page describes potential upgrades

along the route of the Great River Road.

Currently there are limited facilities at stopping points along

the route, with existing facilities in need of replacement. Some
facilities such as Farrans Lookout have recently been upgraded
and others are being progressively upgraded by the relevant
authorities.
Walwa
There is no signage directing tourists towards the Upper Murray
Region from the Hume Highway. Signage along the road itself
is infrequent and inconsistent in message.

There are a number of existing camping sites available,

including at Walwa, Tintaldra, Upper Murray Reserve,
Neils Bend, Clarke Lagoon, Jingellic Bend, Gadds Bend
and Burrowye Bend. These campsites offer a spectacular
setting adjacent to the Murray River but have potential for
improvement. Murray River

Careful consideration will need to be given to the capital and

maintenance costs associated with any facilities. Design and
location details will also need to take into account flood levels
and bushfire risks.

Commission sculptures for lookouts or rest areas. Provide written

information on the aboriginal settlement in the area. Place some Murray River
directional signs to point out major landmarks, like mountains.

COMMUNITY MEMBER
­6 © 2016
EXISTING ROADSIDE STOPS
Existing seating and BBQ facilities along the route
are in need of replacement. Engagement with
VicRoads and other stakeholders / management
authoirites is needed to progressively upgrade these
facilities.
© 2016
EXISTING SIGNAGE
Clarkes Reserve and Neils Bend and are difficult to
locate with poor directional signage. Parks Victoria
are currently undertaking works to progressively
updgrade these reserves.
EXISTING CAMPING GROUNDS
Gadds Bend, near Jingellic and Clarke Lagoon
Wildlife Reserve, near Tindaldra. Spectacular
settings with limited facilites.
7
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distances Km’s
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­8 secondary roads 2 © 2016
Upper Murray Reso
Bike trail
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© 2016 5 Tintaldra Installation
ort Camping 9
Walwa Tintaldra 23.3
Caravan Park
 PROPOSED
Neils Bend

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­10 © 2016
UM2030_Project 3_great
UM2030_project 3_Great river
River road
Road Scale NTS
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Km’s Tintaldra Towong 11.0
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5.2 7 Towong Turf Club
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© 2016 11
UM2030_Project 3_great
UM2030_project 3_Great river
River road
Road Scale NTS
PROPOSED
FURNITURE
PROPOSED LOOKOUTS PROPOSED PICNIC SETTING

Lookout example Lookout example PS S

Farrans Lookout Farrans Lookout
Picnic setting Shelter
Lookouts along the Great River Road should reflect the design Picnic settings and shelters along the great Great River Road should reflect the design of the
of the existing Farrans lookout existing Farrans lookout

­12 © 2016
 Furniture
ps

Picnic setting
PROPOSED AMENITIES

amenities

BQ B S1 S1 S2
s1 s1 s2 B
Boat ramp Bin - identifying lookout
Signage Signage
Signage -- identifying
identifyingcamping
camping SignageSignage
- identifying lookout
- warning Signage - locational / warning
Boat ramp
(Parks Victoria)

UM2030_Project 3_great
UM2030_project 3_Great river
River ro
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Legend

B
BBQ - electric

© 2016 13
PROPOSED tintald
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road

GATEWAYS

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To mark the beginning of the historic Great River
Road route we propose a gateway project. The
gateway is a land art project, comprising of 108
timber or concrete poles installed on the triangular
site at the corner of Murry River Road and Main
Road, Tintaldra.

The poles all reach an identical height to reinforce

the ground plane at the base and the horizon at the
top. Poles were selected as they close reference the
immediate context of; bridge timbers, fencing posts

ad
ro
and electrical poles.

n
ai
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AERIAL SITE

A second gateway is proposed to mark the

headwaters of the Murray River at Bringenbrong M
ai
n
Visualisation st
re
Reserve. Interpretive signage in line with the s1
et
a
designs used for Farrans Lookout (see p. 12),
identifying lookout furniture and a specially Murray
river r
oad
commissioned artwork are proposed. Elements in
Bringenbrong Reserve will need to be robust to
withstand other environmental factors that affect the s1
site, such as flooding. TINTALDRA LOCATION PLAN

LEGEND
Great River Road

a The gateway project is a land art project, comprising of 108 timber s1

or concrete poles installed on the triangular site at the corner of
Murry River Road and Main Road, Tintaldra.
The poles all reach an identical height to reinforce the ground
plane at the base and the horizon at the top. Poles were selected
as they close reference the immediate context of; bridge timbers,
fencing posts and electrical poles.
Concept only. Design would require further refinement in
VISUALISAT
consultation with VicRoads and in response to any further VicRoads tourist and service signage
intersection upgrades.

­14 © 2016
UM2030_P
UM2030_p
Great River R
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AERIAL SITE PLAN

AERIAL SITE PLAN

AERIAL SITE PLAN

VISUALISATION

©VISUALISATION
2016 15
age
COSTING

GREAT RIVER ROAD COSTING

This Design Package and Costing represents a To complete concept design, design development, Costs have been derived from:
feasibility scope of works only. It has investigated contract documentation and contract administration • Great River Road Business Case by Towong
the project at a high design level, identifying general stages of the project a consultant team would Shire (dated March 2016)
quantities and locations of both materials and need to be appointed. The consultant team could • Great River Road NSRF Costings Review by AK
product. To make this project a reality it must first comprise: Project Solutions (dated 14 March 2016).
go through concept design and design development • Landscape architect
stages that respond to a detailed client brief.
• Civil engineer
When the design is finalised the project can be ITEMS $
• Land surveyor Artwork $290,000
documented to take through a competitive tender
process, construction and client handover. • Services Engineer Shelters $350,000
Landscaping $130,000
A collaborative approach would deliver an exemplar • Quantity Surveyor.
Signage $100,000
project that draws tourists from far and wide. Team Stakeholders to be involved in the briefing document Marketing / Branding $50,000
members to achieve this include: and approval process could include but are not Specialists $40,000
• Project manager limited to: Project Manager $30,000
• Consultant team • Towong Shire Council Total $990,000

• Stakeholders • Tumbarumba Shire Council

• Parks Victoria
It is envisaged that Towong Shire staff would project
manage the project. Their role would include: • VicRoads

• Writing a RFT (request for tender) to appoint a • Upper Murray Tourist Association.
consultant team
• Determining the project program
• Managing the design, documentation and
construction stages of the project
• Liaising with stakeholders.
­16 © 2016
FUNDING
SOURCES
NATIONAL STRONGER REGIONS FUND,
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA
This program replaced the Regional Development
Australia Fund (RDAF) and seeks to fund
investment ready projects which support economic
growth and sustainability of regions across Australia,
particularly disadvantaged regions, by supporting
investment in priority infrastructure. Grants between
$20,000 and $10 million are available on a dollar-
for-dollar basis. A total funding pool of $1 billion is
available over five years from 2015-16.
© 2016
REGIONAL JOBS AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND, VICROADS
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT VICTORIA
VicRoads manages the majority of the proposed
The Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund is Great River Road route and there may be
implemented by RDV to provide $500 million over opportunity to negotiate funding agreements with
the next four years to support major projects and VicRoads for required intersection and highway
create regional jobs. It provides funding for major upgrades.
infrastructure projects through the following program
streams:
• Visitor Economy;
• Productive and Liveable Cities and Centres;
• Enabling Infrastructure; and
• Rural Development.
The Visitor economy stream will create new, or
redevelop existing tourism and cultural assets
that demonstrate a significant impact on the
visitor economy. In particular, projects must attract
increased visitors to the region and deliver an
improved experience for those who visit and reside
in regional Victoria.
17