‘Major gaps’ in Bay Trail on Mornington Peninsula
The dream of cycling from Port Melbourne to Portsea without dodging cars could become a reality. Here’s how.
South East
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Cyclists are calling for action to end a 50 year wait for a continuous bike path around Port Phillip Bay.
The Bay Trail, which is largely complete from Port Melbourne to Frankston, has “major gaps” on the Mornington Peninsula.
Bicycle Network says a ten year plan was needed to fill the missing links and urged the community and state government to commit to the project.
The group, which is one of the largest cycling organisations in the world, has been campaigning for decades for the trail.
Chief executive Alison McCormack said the concept for the trail was conceived 50 years ago “yet we are still battling to get it finished as far as Portsea”.
“We need to make a commitment that each year we should tackle one of the missing links and then the next, and the next, year by year until we have one continuous Bay Trail,” she said.
Ms McCormack said completing the trail would benefit cyclists across Melbourne, not just those living near the bay.
“I think people forget that the Bay Trail connects to the Dandenong Creek Trail, to the Peninsula Trail and the EastLink Trail – there are a million people in Melbourne’s east who would be able to ride down to the Peninsula to spend a weekend!” she said.
Mornington cyclist Ross Kilburn said filling a missing link between Moorooduc and Mornington was the main hurdle to finishing the Port Phillip side of the trail.
The 4.9km section would connect Mornington to the existing Peninsula Link trail along the Mornington Tourist Railway and cost about $9m.
“At the moment there’s no easy way for cyclists to ride off road to Mornington,” he said.
“People end up loading their bikes onto their cars and either driving to Frankston and cycling from there towards Edithvale, or taking their bikes to Safety Beach and picking up the trail from there.”
“Little hiccups” elsewhere on the Bay Trail include between Mount Martha and Safety Beach, a 750m stretch at Anthony’s Nose, a 175m stretch through Whitecliffs sand dunes and 760m around Blairgowrie Yacht Club, Mr Kilburn said.
Mr Kilburn is also a Rotarian and the Mornington Peninsula’s eight clubs have been working with the local council on an ambitious plan to complete the missing links and create a second branch of the trail along Western Port to Balnarring before traversing the hinterland to connect with the Bay Trail at Dromana.
Known as the Peninsula Trail, the 130km project would cost $62.5m to complete.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has already committed $10m to the plan and has secured some state and federal funds, leaving a shortfall of $45m.
The first missing link to be filled will be the 3.5km section between Somerville and Baxter.
The $7m project is fully funded and expected to be completed in late 2024.
Mornington Peninsula mayor Steve Holland said the Peninsula Trail would create more connected towns and communities, providing safe off-road options to walk or ride to school, work, the shops or to visit friends.
“It will reduce our reliance on cars with environmental, health, and wellbeing benefits,” he said.
The trail would also be a tourism drawcard, attracting visitors to Victoria to walk, hike, cycle and stay.
“The Peninsula Trail will offer exciting opportunities for eco-tourism and our vibrant food, wine and art scene,” Cr Holland said.
“There will be opportunities for tours of cultural and historic sites, guided walks and cycling tours.
A leading advocacy group for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula said connecting the missing links would give the state a world class walking and cycling trail.
Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula chief executive Josh Sinclair said the group was advocating for funds for the Peninsula Trail.
“The Peninsula Trail project, when completed, would see improved connectivity for locals and visitors; direct links to tourist destinations and activity centres; and better active and healthy transport options for our region,” he said.
