The Newlands Arm Landcare Coastcare Group (NALCG) officially opened the new Dinni Birraark boardwalks on Friday, December 5, celebrating a major milestone for the local community and the popular walking track linking Newlands Arm and Paynesville.
Group president Sandie Evans welcomed visitors to the opening, which was attended by Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull, along with representatives from East Gippsland Shire, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, East Gippsland Water, DEECA, GLaWAC, NARRA, East Gippsland Landcare – Eagle Point, Romawi and Paynesville, and members of the Newlands Arm Landcare group and broader community.
Ms Evans said the occasion marked a
celebration of an outstanding walking track “right in our own backyard”, connecting
the two communities of Newlands Arm
and Paynesville.
She acknowledged Doug Holl, former president of the Newlands Arm Landcare group, whose passion and vision inspired the early development of the Dinni Birraark Walk.
From Dawson Cove, the walk follows the edge of the Newlands Backwater alongside a residential landscape for approximately
three kilometres before transitioning into an undulating bush track that finishes at Lake Victoria Road.
On the northern side, the walk runs from Jones Road through to Progress Jetty
in Paynesville.
As use of the track steadily increased among residents, neighbouring communities, cyclists, school camp groups, birdwatchers and tourists, several sections became prone to waterlogging. The installation of boardwalks was identified as a priority, with Newlands Arm Landcare Coastcare member Ian Williams emerging as the driving force behind the project.
Funding became available in early 2024 through the Forge Creek Remediation Project, with support shared between the Romawi and Paynesville Landcare groups.
Mr Williams’ detailed designs, costings and scale model helped demonstrate the value and feasibility of the project.
Construction began with generous support from Shaye at East Gippsland Fencing, alongside countless volunteer hours from Newlands Arm Landcare Coastcare members.
While the project presented challenges, Mr Williams’ dedication and leadership saw it brought to completion.
Originally planned to deliver 42 metres of boardwalk, the project ultimately resulted in 46 metres of boardwalk and 33 metres of raised gravel platforms, transforming 79 metres of track into an all-weather walking surface.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees enjoyed a guided walk along the track, taking in revegetation works completed over the past three years. The event concluded with afternoon tea and discussions about future projects and shared aspirations.
The long-term vision of a safely linked track from Dawson Cove, Newlands Arm, to Paynesville continues to be shared by the Romawi, Paynesville and Newlands Arm Landcare groups, with the aim of establishing the Dinni Birraark Walk as one of East Gippsland’s premier waterside walking experiences.
