ENVIRONMENTAL groups oppose plans for a shared bike path beside the Moorooduc-to-Mornington railway line.
A joint letter with 11 signatories was sent to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council last month “expressing deep concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed shared bike path”.
They say the path “hosts the best remnants of significant vegetation … which are now depleted and rare in Victoria, as well as individual species which are state and federally listed as threatened”.
The shared bike and railway line trail is being promoted by Mornington Community Safelink Group and Mornington Railway Preservation Society. Safelink’s Graeme Rocke says it will connect the residential, shopping, sporting, schools and workplaces of Mornington, Mount Eliza and Mount Martha. (“Groups align for shared path” The News 27/7/20).
Along the way the two groups are planning to complete one of the Peninsula Bay Trail’s missing links: the route from Moorooduc to Mornington.
The letter writers against their plan included a detailed submission on the potentially-threatened plants. Their letter has been included as a submission in the process for identification of potential routes for the Moorooduc-to-Mornington section of the Bay Trail.
The council is reviewing all submissions. Groups who submitted suggestions and comments will be invited to discuss them and hear about the council’s plans and next steps.
First published in the Mornington News – 16 February 2021
