Innovative signage minimises footprint

A VOLUNTEER hiking and biking group has this month launched an environmentally friendly signage project, along the length of a local track.

The Great Dividing Trail Association (GDTA) has launched the innovative Lerderderg Track Interpretive Signage project along the length of the 87-kilometre track of the same name, from Daylesford to Bacchus Marsh.

Signage has been reduced to small placards on top of existing directional posts marking the way.

Each of the placards includes a QR code that links to more extensive information and images on the GDTA website.

“This approach has minimised the environmental ‘footprint’ of our interpretive signage,” said Gib Wettenhall, who manages publications for the GDTA.

Over 40 people gathered at the Garden of St Erth in Blackwood to celebrate the launch of the GDTA’s Lerderderg Track Interpretive Signage project.

The signage tells the stories of the people who lived along the track and gives insights into the geology, the flora and fauna and the place names that track users encounter along the way.

Guests including GDTA Patron, Steve Moneghetti, and Mountain Bike Ambassador, Lisa Jacobs praised the project for bringing the history of the track to life and making it easily accessible to track users.

Sponsors were represented by Moorabool Shire Mayor, Cr Ally Munari and representatives of three local Bendigo Community Banks – Trentham, Bacchus Marsh and Daylesford.

Moorabool Shire Mayor, Cr Ally Munari, remarked on the importance of the project.

“Projects like this make it more attractive for people to get out into our beautiful natural surrounds, and keep active and healthy,” Cr Munari said.

The GDTA team who planned, researched, and wrote the signage text and web stories for the 17 signage sites were Tim Bach, Arie Baelde, Ed Butler and Gib Wettenhall.

For more information on the interpretive signage project, visit the GDTA website.