A vital link in the Mornington Peninsula trail network should be in place by the end of next year with designs completed for the connection from Somerville to Baxter.
The $7.7 million project, funded with contributions from the federal and state governments, will extend from Eramosa Road in Somerville through to Golf Links Road in Baxter, where the existing Baxter Trail terminates.
Once the Somerville-Baxter section is complete, bike riders and walkers will be able to travel off road from central Melbourne all the way to Balnarring.
The project includes upgrades to road crossings, including the introduction of a signalised crossing point on Frankston-Flinders Road, near Hawkins Road.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh says the trail is the council's first priority for filling in the missing links of the Peninsula trails project.
“Our community has been calling for this shared path for many years, he said.
"It will dramatically improve access, connectivity and amenity for our Western Port communities, connecting up existing paths and giving our residents the chance to ditch the car and travel safely by foot or by bike to school, the shops or work.
“It will also further cement the peninsula’s reputation as a cycling and walking destination, attracting off-peak visitors lured by the opportunity to walk or cycle off road from central Melbourne – via the Bay Trail and Peninsula Link Trail."
“Our community has been calling for this shared path for many years. It will dramatically improve access, connectivity, and amenity for our Western Port communities, connecting up existing paths and giving our residents the chance to ditch the car and travel safely by foot or by bike to school, the shops or work.
The Victorian Government contributed $3 million and the federal government committed $2million. The council contributed the remaining $2.8 million.
Consultation on trail masterplan
Meanwhile, the council has launched a public consultation on the latest version of the Peninsula Trails Masterplan.
The comprehensive masterplan document is available here.
The Peninsula Trails project aims to create a world-class, 170km network of walking and riding trails that will connect townships, parks, and coastal areas with active transport links.
There are 11 key sections still to be developed and riders can influence the final design of the trails.
As part of the consultation process Mornington is seeking feedback on the draft masterplan, which outlines the preferred route options for these critical missing sections.
The route options were determined using an evaluation framework that assessed against key trail objectives. Input from experts, stakeholders, and the community helped shape this process, with the highest-scoring routes included in the draft document.
You can get involved by completing a survey, provide comments on the interactive maps, or attend top in sessions at a number of locations during January.
Feedback gathered during the consultation will be used to refine the masterplan before it is presented to council for final approval. Once adopted, each section will enter a detailed design phase, ensuring the project aligns with community priorities and long-term goals.
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