MORE than 1700 people have signed an electronic petition supporting the building of a community cycling and walking path from Moorooduc station to Mornington.
The proposed path is one of the 11 so-called “missing links” in the Bay Trail given priority status by Mornington Peninsula Shire as part of the overall objective of completing the trail.
The Mornington Community Safelink Link Group’s Graeme Rocke said he had been working with peninsula state and federal MPs in a bid for government money for the path to “kick start the economy in a post-COVID-19 environment”.
The group is aligning itself with Mornington Railway Preservation Society in a shared vision for a path linking recreational hubs between Baxter and Mornington, and a Mount Eliza regional “hub” for a range of exercise and relaxation activities.
Completion of the “missing links” will create an integrated and continuous trail allowing users to take longer uninterrupted journeys; allow increased use of the Mornington Peninsula’s trail network – especially by females and young people and, says Mr Rocke, save on up to $5.6 million in health costs due to increased levels of walking and cycling.
“Use of the completed trail will reduce traffic congestion, road repair costs and vehicle running costs, and increase social connection and cognitive health for our residents and visitors,” he said.
“It will strengthen the peninsula’s brand as a premier walking and cycling destination, and provide economic output of $11.3 million each year. It is also expected to create 35 new jobs.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 4 August 2020
