A WATER fountain and refill station has been installed at the start of the Great Victorian Rail Trail in Mansfield.

Council worked closely with the Friends of The Great Victorian Rail Trail group and Goulburn Valley Water to source and select the most appropriate location for the fountain, which was installed by local trades Christopher and Pigdon Plumbing.

Mayor Cr James Tehan said the new water station is a welcomed addition to the start of the Great Victorian Rail Trail and Station Precinct.

"With the recent Indigenous Art Gallery at the Visitor Information Centre, the Gadhaba Gathering Place, the Art Trail due for completion by April 2023 and funding secured for the new Heritage Museum, the Station Precinct will become a hub for community and tourists and stimulate activity at the western entrance to town," he said.

The project was funded through the State Government's Outdoor Activation Fund and Goulburn Valley Water who contributed 50 per cent of the fountain cost.

Ross Vaughn, Chairman of the Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trial said this is a giant leap forward for the start of the rail trail and one the Friend's Group has been advocating towards for a number of years.

"We are excited to see the new facilities and investment from Council into what is such a great asset to our region" he said.