THE committee for a recently reopened walking trail which traverses parts of the Latrobe Valley recently received a national award.
Last month, the Grand Strzelecki Track Management Committee received the 2012 Parks and Leisure Australia National Award of Excellence for Inclusive and Connected Communities.
Project founder Richard Appleton said the award was a great honour and a credit to the local community.
“It is a major step towards national and international recognition and should bring tourism investment in hospitality, package tours and other support services to Latrobe City,” Mr Appleton said in a statement.
“The focus of the committee will continue to balance development with maintaining the environmental values of the region.”
He said success in this strategy would underpin the viability of smaller communities and provide great benefits to Gippsland and Victoria.
“It will also secure the future of the Grand Strzelecki Track as one of the iconic walks of the world,” Mr Appleton said.
Limited edition walking maps of the track are also expected to be completed in the near future.
For more information about the track, visit
www.grandstrzeleckitrack.org.au
