The project provides enabling infrastructure and services to support the sustainable growth of one of Gippsland's most iconic environmental and wildlife experiences. The first stage of this project is the Raymond Island Ferry Park Reserve Upgrade.

Improved visitor education and management, along with new amenities, will also benefit Raymond Island residents. A key focus of this project is to recognise and address the fact that increased visitor numbers impact the community.

The proposed outcomes of this project are:

• The extension and enhancement of the koala trail to ‘spread the load’ of visitors
• New and expanded infrastructure and amenities to improve the visitor experience
• Environmental improvements to enhance habitat and support sustainability
• Koala care, rehabilitation, and wildlife education
• Indigenous interpretation, and cultural education
• Visitor interpretive infrastructure and materials

Investment in the Koala Trail will increase functionality and contribute to environmental and economic improvements for the visitor economy, by facilitating environmental enhancement, sustainable tourism services, and supporting sustainable growth in visitor numbers, increased length of stay and increased visitor expenditure in the local community.

Through collaborations between government, community and GLaWAC, the project enables capacity building in environmental management and eco-tourism, increases workforce participation in the visitor sector, supports new skill development in visitor servicing, and environmental management and interpretation.

It enables the development of networks between local community volunteers, Gunaikurnai people and the local tourism industry through the development and management of the trail.

The budget for the project is provided through contributions from Local Roads and Community Infrastructure and Regional Recovery Partnerships, both through the Federal Government.

Parks Victoria have received additional funding through the Minister for Tourism Grant from the State Government to also contribute to this project on joint managed land.

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