MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are being asked what special features, amenities or themes they would like to see on the Peninsula Trail, despite the project being at least $35 million behind in costs and no completion date in sight.
The ambitious plan being promoted by Mornington Peninsula Shire links 130 kilometres of trails throughout the peninsula to create one of “the great walking and cycling trails of the world”.
The shire last week issued a news release stating that for many years “our community has been telling us they dream of a connected trail network … we are ready to turn that dream into reality by connecting the missing links and build the Peninsula Trail”.
With the shire urging residents to lobby political candidates, parts of the trail were used as backdrops for candidates in last year’s state and federal elections, but objections to the trail have already been raised on environmental grounds (“Trail will ‘damage’ environment” The News 31/10/22).
The missing pieces total 41.5km of the proposed 130km trail and, on estimates listed on the shire’s website, will cost $47.5m.
The shire has committed $10m to the project, the state government $4m (earmarked for the $7m Somerville to Baxter “missing link”) and $3m from the federal government.
The council’s promotional material for the trail claims it “has the potential to attract off-peak and mid-week tourists and more evenly disperse them across the peninsula” by creating new opportunities for guided walking and cycling tours of the region’s food, wine and art scene.
The council estimates the completed trail will generate an economic output of $48 million ($23 million direct and $25 million indirect), and support 129 full-time equivalent jobs (51 direct and 78 indirect) during its construction phase. The operational phase is estimated to deliver $3.3 million direct-visitor expenditure and $5.6 million in health cost saving benefits to peninsula residents each year and support 35 full-time equivalent local jobs.
Without mentioning cost or time estimates, the shire’s latest news release lists the “missing links” needed to be built to complete the Peninsula Trail: “To help us understand our community’s aspirations for the trail, we would like to know what is important to you. Would you like to see special features, amenities or themes along the trail?”
“This is our most ambitious trail infrastructure project to date. We want to hear from you to ensure the trails are the best they can be,” the mayor Cr Steve Holland said.
“A fully connected trail will provide people with improved access to connect with nature and enjoy the social, mental and physical health benefits that come from time spent in the outdoors.
“A complete trail network will position the peninsula as a premier cycling and walking destination.”
The shire’s unattributed statement says: “A trail without missing links will bring benefits that go beyond active living. While much of the proposed 130 kilometre Peninsula Trail network exists, joining the gaps will connect townships and provide economic and tourism opportunities for local communities and the wider region.”
The council’s promotional material for the trail claims it “has the potential to attract off-peak and mid-week tourists and more evenly disperse them across the peninsula” by creating new opportunities for guided walking and cycling tours of the region’s food, wine and art scene.
The council estimates the completed trail will generate an economic output of $48 million ($23 million direct and $25 million indirect), and support 129 full-time equivalent jobs (51 direct and 78 indirect) during its construction phase. The operational phase is estimated to deliver $3.3 million direct-visitor expenditure and $5.6 million in health cost saving benefits to peninsula residents each year and support 35 full-time equivalent local jobs.
The missing links are:
• Mornington to Moorooduc (4.9km $8.5m).
• Somerville to Baxter (4.64km $7m).
• Anthony’s Nose (750m $3m).
• Whitecliffs, Rye (175m $1.5m).
• Blairgowrie Yacht Club (760m $2m).
• Hughes Road (200m $1m).
• Merricks to Balnarring (4.15km $6m).
• Balnarring to Bittern (5.7km $5m).
• Safety Beach to Mount Martha (7.8km $7m).
• Red Hill to Arthurs Seat (4.5km $5.5m).
• Arthurs Seat to Point Nepean Road (8km $1m).
First published in the Mornington News – 11th July 2023
