A DILAPIDATED footpath that has posed a safety risk for senior pedestrians crossing a heritage railway in Mornington is set to be repaired early next year following community advocacy.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has confirmed it will undertake repairs to the damaged footpath on Bungower Rd, which runs along the Mornington Tourist Railway.
The footpath has caused difficulties for older residents, particularly those using walkers and mobility scooters with many unable to safely access the nearby Peninsula Homemaker Centre.
The issue came to attention after Mornington MP Chris Crewther advocated on behalf of senior residents concerned about navigating the hazardous crossing.
The shire said the section of the footpath to be repaired was on the southern side of the railway line, adjacent to the Mornington Gardens Holiday Village.
The northern side of the track, owned by the Department of Transport, has been decommissioned as a footpath.
“Work to improve the footpath where it crosses the railway, and some minor road surface repairs are due to commence early in the new year,” a shire spokesperson said.
One resident said while they welcomed the footpath renewal, it would be inconvenient and difficult for people using walkers or pushing prams to walk as far as Nepean Hwy to reach the next pedestrian crossing.
Although there is a pedestrian crossing with lights next to St Macartan’s Primary School, the footpath ends at the railway track within the decommissioned section, leaving pedestrians nowhere to go.
Mornington resident Joan Williams who uses a mobility walker, described the crossing as stressful and said she worried about falling every time.
“When I go shopping I have to put the wheelie on one end and carry my shopping bags over the line and then go back and get the wheelie,” she said.
“People don’t even attempt this because it’s pointless.”
After hearing the news of the planned repairs, she said it would be a huge relief.
“I would be delighted if it was confirmed. I would absolutely be over the moon,” she said.
Williams added she had reported the issues to council throughout the year, only to be told it wasn’t a council matter.
She also noted many residents enjoyed walking and aside from a council community bus that operates on Wednesdays, transport options along Bungower Rd were limited.
Concerned for her safety and that of other residents, she took the issue to Crewther, who then investigated.
Ashley Cox, whose mother just moved into Mornington Gardens, said he had tried to contact various authorities to seek a resolution only to be given the runaround.
“It’s not good enough, it needs to be fixed” he said, as “someone could potentially get seriously hurt”.
Crewther said he welcomed the shire’s commitment to carry out the repairs.
“I’ve been pleased to advocate to council and others for Mornington Gardens’ residents who’ve had trouble crossing the historic railway tracks on Bungower Rd,” he said.
“It’s great to hear that council will fix the footpath side, and I’ll continue to advocate to the state government to also fix the school side managed by VicRoads.
“In other great news, after much advocacy, Mornington Gardens, Beleura Village, St Macartan’s Parish Primary, and Peninsula Grange residents will finally be getting bus services to unused bus stops in July-August 2026, giving them close by access by public transport to both Frankston and Mornington.”
The Department of Transport confirmed a new cross peninsula bus service directly connecting Hastings and Mornington via Tyabb Rd was being planned with Mornington’s main 784 and 785 bus routes also being upgraded.
“We are planning improvements to Mornington Peninsula bus services, including a new route connecting Hastings and Mornington for the first time,” a department spokesperson said.
“Public consultation on a range of improvements was completed last year with any changes to the local network to be finalised and announced in coming months.”
First published in the Mornington News – 23 December 2025
