Phillip Island Cowes to Ventnor foreshore bike trail causes controversy as council pushes ahead with plan

A scenic ride or destruction of habitat? Phillip Island residents are divided on the proposed “high priority” bike track from Cowes to Ventnor.

The proposal to build a bike path along the foreshore from Cowes to Ventnor on Phillip Island has divided the community.

As a part of its tracks and trails strategy, Bass Coast Shire wants the path to cover around 6km of the coastline, saying the project is “high priority”.

Supporters believe it is the best way to connect the two towns, while opponents are concerned about the environmental impact to the foreshore.

Cowes Coastcare coordinator Heather Liney said the trail would not “enhance” a connection to nature — rather, it would “destroy it”.

Mrs Liney has released a petition to have the plan stopped.

“Wildlife live on that foreshore,” she said.

“The poor things won’t stick around once the path is filled with bikes and scooters and people walking.

“Then that magic of going down the beach and spotting a wallaby at dusk will be lost.

Bass Coast Shire Council is proposing a trail from Cowes to Ventnor, along the foreshore. The trail is trail number eight in this graphic.

“I go for walks down that way almost everyday and I see the wallabies and I just know that I have to stand up for them.

“We have got something so special and magical here, I would hate to see if destroyed.”

Mrs Liney is also concerned the track would fall victim to erosion which is “already occurring rapidly” on the foreshore.

Mayor Michael Whelan said the environment was considered by planneres.

“Throughout the development of this strategy, importance has been placed on trails that provide connectivity, health and wellbeing outcomes, accessibility, tourism and connection to nature,” he said.

Owen Bently, a member of the Phillip Island Cyclists, is running a counter petition.

He said most of the foreshore between Cowes and Ventnor was inhabited by humans or beset by weeds.

“I think this path, in this spot is the right thing for a number of reasons,” he said.

“It is the shortest route between the two towns,

“It has the most tourism potential if it is right on the foreshore it really captures the imagination and it would be the safest possible path between Cowes and Ventnor.”

Mr Bently said a cycling trail would decrease car usage.

“It is a shared bath so not just bikes but people walking, people on mobility scooters, families with prams. It would really increase accessibility to the foreshore,” he said.

The council draft Tracks and Trails Strategy was out for public consultation.

“The draft identifies the proposed Cowes to Ventnor foreshore path as a high priority project,” a council spokesperson said.

“The council welcomes petitions and joint letters from the community as formal requests to the council for action.”